York BID Business Plan 2021-2026

Working together
for a stronger York
BUSINESS PLAN
2021–2026
www.theyorkbid.com

FOREWORD
As the first 5 year term draws to a close, I am pleased to say York BID has stayed
true to its initial business plan and has delivered against all of the key objectives. You
said you wanted safer, cleaner, more vibrant streets and the BID has delivered this
through Street Rangers, Street Cleansing, and Winter Lights along with a host of other
programmes highlighted in this document. Around £4 million has been raised and
put directly into programmes to benefit business. Impressively, the BID has levered a
further £1 million of external funding, something that would not have happened if the
BID was not deemed a credible delivery body.
Covid-19 has had a devasting impact on trade in York city centre, due to our strong
visitor market and the fact we have many retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. We
have lost some well-known brands which impacts our tight-knit business community.
However, the pandemic has highlighted issues that we already knew needed to change,
so we must take this opportunity to build back better, and in a sustainable way.
The BID Board will naturally continue to look at programmes that can specifically
help businesses in the Covid recovery (as it has during the past year), but a lot of the
strategy the BID had shaped pre-Covid is still relevant. For example, we have said
the city centre needs more people living in it; that it needs more green space for
people to dwell; and it needs large vacant units broken down into mixed use. The BID
is at the heart of all these discussions representing you, and with key developments
such as York Central and Castle Gateway given the green light, the city has reason to
look to the long term with ambition and optimism.
I would like to thank those businesses that have contributed to shaping this plan.
A vote for another 5 year term will unlock another £4m+ investment and allow the
programmes you want to continue to be shaped. A strong business
voice is needed now more than ever, so I hope we can look
forward to more shared success.
Michael Hjort | Chairman York BID
Director of York Food & Drink Festival / Owner of
Walmgate Ale House
2 | Business Plan 2021-2026

CONTENTS
4 Your BID
6 5 Years of Achievements
8 Key Statistics
10 Coronavirus Business Support
12 Consultation
14 Our Vision
15 Our 4 Programmes
26 The Ballot
27 What You Could Lose
28 The BID Area
30 The BID Levy & Finances
32 Governance
35 Partners
3

YOUR BID
York Business Improvement
District (BID) is an
independent organisation
working to deliver support and
success through partnership
with its members.
Through collaboration, creative initiatives and the
careful application of new technologies, York BID
will be at the forefront of the city’s recovery after
the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 will have long-term effects on
consumer behaviour and industry-wide structural
changes are inevitable in all sectors. The BID will
work hard to create value for our members and
return the city to being a place of experiences and
excitement for both residents and visitors.
This plan for a second term has been developed
in consultation with our member community and
can be voted on by all businesses who are eligible
in the upcoming ballot.
I would like to thank our businesses for the
great engagement we have had over the
past 5 years. For me, a good BID is one that
listens and works with levy payers. Projects
such as York Fashion Week, Micklegate
Soap Box Race and Indie York are testament
to this. There are many business owners
who give up their free time to sit on
committees, or bodies such as the Retail
Forum, and it cannot be underestimated
how this helps with project delivery and
adds to the feeling of community in the city.
I would also like to thank my BID delivery
team, including the Street Rangers and
Cleaners. We are only small because we
believe that the majority of levy money
should be spent on projects to benefit
business, but I feel the team punches above
its weight when it comes
to delivery, with some
of the national
accolades and
awards won being
testament to that.
Andrew Lowson | Executive Director
Remember, it’s your BID. Be a part of it, get involved,
and help us to create a better city centre.
4 | Your BID

YOUR TEAM
Jo Little
Comms &
Engagement Lead
Carl Alsop
Operations Manager
Andrew Lowson
Executive Director
Chris Bush
Business Manager
Rachel Bean
Business Admin
Officer
5
Image Credit: Olivia Brabbs

5 YEARS OF
ACHIEVEMENTS
Our flagship Street
Rangers scheme
improving safety and reducing
small crime and ASB
Since its launch in April 2016, York BID has
delivered a wide variety of projects, services and
improvements for York city centre that have helped
to enhance the trading environment for over 1,000
levy paying businesses. Here is a selection of
achievements from the past 5 years.
Award-winning Winter
Lights scheme
Partnered
with CYC to
upgrade two city
centre car parks
to pay on exit
technology
Delivered
Summertime
floral displays
featuring over
100 separate
installations
Contemporary
new wayfinding
& signage
Street Cleaning service
operating 7 days a week to
keep the city looking its best
The removal
of the redundant
fountain and
toilet block on
Parliament Street
Trained over
100 employees
from local
businesses in
First Aid
Funded and supported
business-led initiatives
including Indie York, York Retail
Forum, and Trade Associations
6

3 successful
Restaurant Week
events worth
£250,000 for York’s
hospitality sector
Invested in vinyl
wraps to improve
the appearance of
vacant shops
Launched a Taxi
Marshals scheme for
Duncombe Place
A York Gift
Card scheme
accepted at
more than 300
businesses
Invested in Events
and Festivals bringing
people into the city
including Micklegate Run
Soapbox Challenge, York Ice
Trail, Bloom!, Yorkshire Day,
Wimbledon at Coppergate
and Fossgate Festival
Commissioned a new
trade waste scheme
with improved value for
money, collection times and
recycling opportunities
Commissioned
and supported
Street Art projects
5 Years of Achievements | 7

KEY STATISTICS
Invested over
£4 MILLION
into York city centre projects and
initiatives across a five-year term
Identified over
£156,000
of savings for businesses
on their bills and utilities
The York Winter
Lights Display consists
of over
160,000
LED bulbs, spanning
16km end-to-end
Over
£55,000
worth of spend locked into
York city centre via
York Gift Card
(as of Jan 2021)
Over £1 MILLION
of investment leveraged
from partners for city centre
development
Jet washed over
200,000
square metres of city centre
pavements, paths and snickleways
Rangers made
46,338
business visits
or engagements
Recovered
or deterred
£112,973
worth of stolen stock for
local businesses
33,152
public engagements
made/directions given
Prevented
or detained
4,552
cases of crime and
3,378
of anti-social behaviour
in York city centre
Cleaned up
16,700
reports of bio-waste
(human/animal/
food etc.)
17,127
city centre bins, benches
and alleyways cleaned
Removed over
1 MILLION
pieces of chewing gum from
city centre pavements
8 | Key Statistics

“
“Together with the support, work and
coordination of York BID, the Council
has been able to develop a stronger
relationship and understanding with city
centre businesses, something that has been
invaluable in our efforts to support local
businesses through the pandemic. It is this
strong partnership that has achieved over
£800K of CYC investment in business backed
projects, including the
recent wayfinding project,
and will drive our efforts
to build back better over
the coming months.”
Duncombe Place Winter Lights 2020
Image Credit: Alan Milner
Cllr Keith Aspden | Leader
City of York Council
“
“York BID has been an innovative force for
good since it launched in 2016. It has been
a catalyst for positive change. The need for
this catalyst is now greater than ever. Our
city has been hit hard by the pandemic. We
are a resilient business community, and I am
sure we will rise again. But the support and
direction of York BID will help us rise further
and faster than we could on our own.
As one of the largest employers in York, with
approaching 2,000 employees, we want our
home city to thrive. A thriving home city is
good for our business; good
for our people; and good for
the community in which we
live. York BID has, and can
continue, to help us thrive.”
Alistair McQueen | Aviva plc
9

CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS
SUPPORT
In response to challenges
posed by the Covid-19
outbreak and the resulting
national restrictions, York
BID and partners rolled out a
number of practical initiatives
to support businesses through
challenging times.
COLLEGE GREEN
POP-UP
College Green Pop-up was an ambitious
initiative to transform a green area
owned by York Minster into an outdoor
seating space to support hospitality
businesses in the Goodramgate area
after lockdown. A tipi-style tent was
erected, surrounded by tables and
chairs where the public could rest and
consume food and drink purchased
from nearby restaurants, cafes, pubs
and bars. The project was fully managed
for a 10 week period and received an
overwhelmingly positive response from
businesses and the public.
10

BUSINESS SUPPORT
From the outset of the pandemic, the BID
team focused their efforts on disseminating
relevant information and guidance to city centre
businesses. We assisted with a substantial number
of grant funding applications and proactively
contacted businesses to ask how we could
support them.
Out of understanding for business hardship
during the lockdown, the BID offered a 3 month
payment holiday to all its levy paying members (levy
payments would normally be due in April 2020).
STREET RANGER
PROPERTY CHECKS
Whilst the city centre was in lockdown, our Street
Rangers performed daily commercial property
checks to flag any potential issues whilst business
owners and staff were elsewhere. Over 200
businesses signed up for the service which will
continue during any further lockdowns.
CITY HOSTS
After spring
lockdown, our
City Hosts gave the
public confidence that
York city centre was open
and safe to visit. Hosts were stationed
in major footfall areas offering a
welcoming presence and helpful advice.
HAND SANITISER STATIONS
In the interest of promoting Covid
safety and cleanliness,
we strategically
placed 17 hand
sanitiser stations
across the city’s
main squares
and thoroughfares.
ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE
OUTDOOR SEATING SUPPORT
The BlD invested in temporary
signage in support of the extended
pedestrianised zones,
highlighting that
streets were
closed to
vehicles but
very much open
to the public.
We assisted many businesses in
applying to the local authority for
road closures, foot street
enhancments,
and pavement
cafe licences
to support the
business trading
environment.
Coronavirus Business Support | 11

CONSULTATION
York BID is dedicated to delivering projects and services that
businesses value, and that benefit both them and the local economy.
In preparation for the new BID term, we launched an extensive consultation process where city
centre businesses were invited to give feedback on existing BID services and to highlight their
priorities for the future. During September 2020, a hard copy of our consultation survey was
sent to all levy paying businesses by post as well as via targeted newsletters, social media, and
the BID website.
When asked ‘how valuable are York BID projects and services’ the
majority of businesses chose Street Rangers, Street Cleaning and
Winter Lights as the most valuable across the four programme areas.
YOUR PRIORITIES FOR BID TERM 2
Safety (Street Rangers, lobby for better policing of foot streets, work
with partners to reduce ASB)
Appearance (cleanliness, working with landlords/ agents to
improve vacant shops, floral displays)
Encouraging the experience economy (support events
programme, street art, family friendly, winter lights)
Representing the business community (support trade
associations, networking, input on city development)
Promoting the city to local audiences (using
smart data and targeted marketing)
Promote green initiatives (more recycling,
accessibility, green spaces/ pocket parks)
12 | Consultation

“
“We have worked very closely over recent
years on a number of successful projects
in the Minster Precinct, most recently
being the pop-up seating area in College
Green. York BID have been
fantastic to work with,
hugely professional and
bringing fresh ideas to
the city with many more
in the pipeline.”
Alex McCallion | Director of Works & Precinct
York Minster
“
“The York BID has made a huge difference
to businesses in the centre of York over
the past 5 years, especially during the
CV19 crisis. Their regular comms, advice,
money saving initiatives and events across
the city have made York a safer and more
enjoyable place to spend time, shop and
relax. This has attracted more visitors
and helped a range of
businesses through
these challenging times.
Thank you for all your
work so far.”
Phillip Thorn | Hiscox, UK
13
Image Credit: Karl Moran

OUR VISION
We believe that a clear vision
is vital for the future economic
prosperity of York. The BID will
build upon the success of its first
term but will also incorporate
new elements after feedback
from the business community,
working with partners to progress
the following strategic objectives:
Encourage an
accessible city centre
Encourage the
experience economy
Promote green
and sustainable intiatives
Be instrumental in
shaping a city centre
master plan in the context
of ‘evolving high streets’
Promote greater
integration between digital
and physical infrastructure
14 | Our Vision

OUR 4 PROGRAMMES
Based on the successes of the first 5 years and feedback we have
received from levy payers, the Board has chosen to keep the BID’s key
programmes consistent with those from the initial business plan. During
the new term, programmes will come under the following headings:
1
Appearance & Environment
3
Experience
2
Safe & Secure
4
Business Support
Your dedicated BID team will build upon the strong foundations and partnerships established over
the past 5 years. It is evident that businesses value tangible services that aid them in their day-to-day
activities, which we will endeavour to continue. We will strive to enhance the trading environment and
work to provide leadership and representation as we work towards economic recovery post-Covid-19.
There is no replacement body that will deliver the objectives,
projects and services outlined in this proposal.
Fossgate Festival 2018
Image Credit: Alice Little
Our 4 Programmes | 15

1
APPEARANCE &
ENVIRONMENT
Appearance and cleanliness
will continue to be a top
priority. York is a famously
beautiful city and we want
to ensure that its streets
and public spaces shine.
Wherever possible, the
BID will look to deliver
projects that enhance the
appearance of city spaces
and make them more
vibrant than ever before. We
also want to do more for the
environment by increasing
recycling and looking at
ways to reduce air pollution
from delivery vehicles.
16 | Appearance & Environment Bloom! Festival 2018
Image Credit: @Sarah lmb

STREET CLEANING
We will continue to invest in
a dedicated Street Cleaning
team for the city centre. We will
aim to develop our services,
ensuring better coordination
with Council cleaners and rapid
response to business call outs.
CITY DRESSING
We will continue to work with
landlords and agents to dress
and utilise both occupied and
vacant commercial properties,
which will ultimately improve the
appearance of the city streets.
GREENER AND CLEANER
The BID will deliver projects
that encourage greener and
cleaner business operations,
specifically looking at trade
waste removal and introducing
new recycling programmes.
“
“Our working partnership with the BID has been
established through a mutual passion for the
city’s environment, be this the built, economic,
cultural, natural or historic environments.
Indeed, many of the projects the Civic Trust and
the BID have worked on together show that
these environments are interconnected.
Two particular projects come to mind in
demonstrating this: one that the Trust led on,
the other that the BID has driven. The BID was
a major partner and funder of the new Fossgate
Banner during the project’s deliverance in
2016-2018. The Trust led on this project as
part of its City Enhancement Programme. The
new steel banner replaced a tatty, tarpaulin
one. In doing so, the banner now
acts as a prominent, visual
identity and contributes
to the revitalisation of this
important historic street in
the city.”
Andrew Morrison | Chief Executive
York Civic Trust
Coney Street Mural
LAST MILE LOGISTICS
The BID will look to work with
the Local Authority to explore
the feasibility of supporting
greener deliveries to the city
centre, with an aim to minimise
congestion and air pollution.
17

SAFE & SECURE
It is no surprise that during
consultation, businesses voted
safety as their top priority for
the future. York city centre is
home to a vibrant mix of retail
and hospitality businesses that
rely on a safe and welcoming
environment in which to do
business. Our Street Rangers
will continue to be a reassuring
presence in the city centre
and we will look to build upon
their existing relationships with
both the Police and the Local
Authority. Together we will aim
to create a vibrant, welcoming,
and family-friendly city centre
that the public will be confident
is safe to visitpost-Covid-19.
STREET RANGERS
Our Street Rangers programme
is undoubtedly one of York BID’s
most popular initiatives. We will
continue to invest in delivering
this award-winning service for
the entirety of the new term,
operating in the city centre 7
days a week.
DETERRING
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The Street Rangers, utilising
their keen knowledge of the
city centre and CSAS powers
will continue to discourage
and deter anti-social behaviour
and aggressive begging on
York streets.
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness is a growing
issue that all major cities and
towns in the UK are having
to address. The BID team and
Street Rangers will continue
to work with partners and
agencies to encourage better
coordination of support for the
homeless and vulnerable.
ENCOURAGING
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
We will continue to meet
regularly and exchange
information with partners
in the Local Authority and
the Police, ensuring a joined
up approach is maintained.
Together they will encourage
better enforcement of footstreet
hours and enhanced
partner working around
weekend ASB issues.
18 | Safe & Secure

“
“York BID has formed a unique relationship with the Police
which has led to many joint operations and initiatives within
the city centre, tackling issues raised by the community.
2
The presence of the BID Rangers and regular communication
with businesses and neighbourhood policing
teams has enhanced the city, particularly
the ability to deal with anti-social behaviour
together. They are a trusted partner and I
hope we can continue the great work into
the future.”
Inspector Andrew Godfrey | North Yorkshire Police
Street Rangers Jack & Dave,
on patrol in Parliament Street
19

3
EXPERIENCE
We are aware that
customer behaviour is
changing and that the
experience economy is
what modern-day cities
must plan for. We will
continue to support
established festivals but
also look at creating
new cultural experiences
that locals are proud of
and visitors will travel
to see. The BID will aim
to generate activity that
supports the city centre as
a whole, not just the most
central locations, as well as
the early evening economy.
20 | Experience
Yorkshire Day 2019
Image credit: Andy Little

YORK CITY OF FESTIVALS
The BID will work with partners
to develop a visible and
coherent events plan that serves
all regions of the BID area and
generates opportunities for
local businesses to participate.
WINTER LIGHTS DISPLAY
We will look to enhance our
nationally renowned annual
Winter Lights experience along
with other festive offerings.
ANIMATING THE CITY
We will seek to introduce Street
Art and Floral Display projects to
different areas of the city centre.
“
“Running city centre attractions, it’s
important to York Museums Trust that
York as a city welcomes visitors and
that residents and tourists alike enjoy its
wonderful heritage assets.
We have found York BID to be very
effective at improving York’s welcome
and experience whether that’s through
the Rangers’ help and advice, by
attracting people to look at Christmas
lights or supporting our staff when York
Museum Gardens gets busy.
As a business, we don’t underestimate
the benefits to the city of the humbler
work that the York BID
does keeping the city
looking beautiful. The
BID levy is good value
for York!”
Reyahn King | Chief Executive
York Museum Trust
GREEN SPACES
Wherever possible the BID
will identify opportunities to
introduce new green spaces
such as pockets parks or parklets
which the public can enjoy.
The Magical Tree of Light 2020, the Eye of York
FAMILY FRIENDLY
We will focus on delivering
activity that is deemed familyfriendly,
is attractive to York
residents and supports the early
evening economy.
21

BUSINESS SUPPORT
We will continue to seek out new ways to support and empower local
businesses. We want to utilise intelligent data and smart technology
to help the city centre adapt and keep pace with changing customer
behaviour. We will continue to lobby for long-term transport plans to
make it easier to access the city by car, bus, bike or foot.
“
“During my time working with the York BID, it
was evident that it reflects the entrepreneurial
spirit of the York business community. The
level of engagement with the York BID team
and Andrew Lowson in particular has been
very positive and has helped us at First York to
support the wider agenda of the city. Creating
an effective partnership, facilitated by the
York BID has allowed us to kick-start new late
evening Park&Ride services which support
the night time economy
in York. We’re proud of
our relationship with the
York BID and support
its continuation.”
Marc Bichtemann | Managing Director
First York
CITY PERFORMANCE
MONITORING
The BID will look to invest in
smart technologies and data
that allow us to more accurately
monitor the city centre’s
performance, such as footfall
volumes, sales indices and
visitor profiling.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
We will seek to provide better
networking and promotional
opportunities for professional
services clusters.
College Green Pop-up 2020
PROMOTING LOCAL &
INDEPENDENT OFFERINGS
The BID will find opportunities
to market the city as an
attractive destination to local
audiences and to support
independent businesses.
22

4
ACCESSIBLE CITY CENTRE
We will continue to work with
the local authority and transport
providers to make the city as
accessible as possible.
BUSINESS VOICE
We will consistently lobby the
Council and other public sector
organisations on issues that the
business community care about.
“
“As the Co-owner of two retail stores in York,
I have had many opportunities to work with
York BID and I have to say, of all the local BIDs
we work with York is by far the best. From the
helpful Rangers who always seem to be at
hand to deal with all the issues we throw at
them, to support when we need it at a higher
level to iron out problems with bodies such as
the Council and Highways. I
think York BID offers great
value for money providing
services we need now
more than ever.”
Marcus Doyle | Director
The Yorkshire Soap Company
Business Support | 23

Forge Recycling, Trade Waste Services
Bloom! Festival 2018, Exhibition Square
Micklegate Run Soapbox Challenge 2018
Fossgate Festival 2018 Yorkshire Day 2019

York Ice Trail 2019, Parliament Street
Fantastic Fiction Display 2020, Davygate
Wimbledon in Coppergate 2019
25

THE BALLOT
All businesses who occupy
commercial premises in the BID
area with a rateable value higher
than £17,500 will be eligible to
vote in the BID ballot.
Every 5 years, a Business Improvement District is required by law to renew its mandate to work on behalf
of levy paying businesses by means of a ballot. The York BID ballot is scheduled to take place between 18 th
February and 18 th March 2021.
Ballot papers will be issued by post to the person confirmed as having responsibility for casting the vote on
behalf of each company/organisation. Your voting papers should arrive via post no later than 18 th February
2021 and you will have 28 days to return them in the pre-paid envelope provided (the ballot will close on
18 th March 2021 at 5pm).
How is the result calculated?
The ballot will be managed by Civica Electoral Serves. A successful result will authorise the continued
operations of the York BID for another 5 year term, commencing on 1 st April 2021. In order for the ballot to
be successful the following two criteria must be met:
• The majority of votes counted must be in favour
• The total representative rateable value of votes counted in favour must exceed that of those opposed
The results will be announced 19 th March 2021.
If you have any questions about the ballot, please feel free to contact us at info@theyorkbid.com
or 01904 809970
26 | The Ballot
• The voter list has been developed by York BID
based on National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR)
listings provided by City of York Council, and
through consultation with businesses. NNDR
listings as of 04/01/2021 show there are 912
hereditaments eligible to vote.
• Voters are identified as the person confirmed to
have authority to cast the vote on behalf of each
company/organisation or the person/organisation
named on the NNDR list as of 04/01/2021.

WHAT YOU COULD LOSE
If York BID is not successful in the
ballot, all current activities and
services will cease on 31 st March
2021. This would be a huge step
backwards for York as there is no other
organisation to attract this level of
investment or deliver these projects
and services on behalf of businesses in
York city centre.
X APPEARANCE & ENVIRONMENT
• No daily Street Cleaning and Rapid
Response services keeping the streets
looking their best
• No city dressing initiatives - annual
floral displays, wraps for vacant shops,
improved signage and wayfinding, street
art projects
• No green and clean trade waste
alternatives and recycling initiatives
• No plan for better coordinated city
centre deliveries
X EXPERIENCE
• No Christmas/Winter Lights displays
• No investment for family-friendly events
and experiences to attract additional
footfall and spend
• No investment into green spaces, pocket
parks and parklets
• No investment and support for events,
home grown by local businesses and
trade associations
X THE BIG PICTURE
• No £4 million of investment for York city
centre from levy income
• No additional monies leveraged from
partner organisations (worth £1m 2016-21)
• No influential voice to lobby on behalf of
city centre businesses
• No dedicated BID team working to improve
the trading environment
X SAFE & SECURE
• No award-winning Street Ranger scheme
keeping city centre streets safe and
ASB free
• No continued partnership operations with
the local Council and Police
• No Taxi Marshals or a business voice on
homelessness
• No safety training for local businesses
X BUSINESS SUPPORT
• No York Gift Card scheme to lock spend in
the city centre
• No marketing and promotion targeted at
attracting local audiences and to support
independent businesses
• No investment in city centre performance
monitoring - footfall volumes, sales indices
and visitor profiling
• No coordinated business voice on
improving accessibility into the city centre
VOTE YES 18 FEB - 18 MAR 2021
What You Could Lose | 27

YOUR BID AREA
The York BID area is largely within the city’s
inner ring road, contouring the ancient city
walls and has 912 levy paying business residing
within it. The BID area remains unchanged from
the first term and is made up primarily of retail,
hospitality and leisure businesses. A full list of
streets is available at www.theyorkbid.com
YORK BID BUSINESSES BY SECTOR
Retail 42%
Hospitality 31%
Leisure 7%
Other 7%
Professional 13%
28 | The BID Area

29

THE BID LEVY & FINANCES
1. The levy rate to be paid by each property
or hereditament will be fixed at 1% of its
rateable value (as per the 2017 Rating List)
for the duration of the BID term. The rate
remains unchanged from the previous term.
2. Under the Local Government Act 2003 and
the Business Improvement District Regulations
(England) 2004, the levy is mandatory by law
for the full period of the term (not exceeding 5
years) and will be charged annually in advance
for each chargeable period from April to
March (starting on 1 st April 2021).
3. The BID levy will apply to all eligible
hereditaments located within the defined
BID area and with a rateable value of over
£17,500 (as per the 2017 Rating List). The
threshold has changed from £12,500 in the
previous term.
4. Businesses in the BID area who are exempt
from the levy charge due to their rateable
value can apply to become a voluntary
levy payer. Details of this scheme will be
announced on the launch of the new term.
5. Liability for the full year’s levy falls upon the
Non-Domestic Ratepayer for the property
on the date of billing (typically the first week
of April). If the property is empty on the date
of billing, then liability shall fall upon the
property owner.
6. No refunds will be made either fully, or
in part, in respect of levy amounts paid
should there be a change in Non-Domestic
Ratepayer during the financial year. Neither
the BID Company nor the Council will
enter into negotiations between outgoing
and incoming levy payers, and all said
negotiations to recoup part-year payments
must be resolved independently by the
individual or company concerned.
7. Non-retail/leisure based businesses with
charitable status will pay 50% of the levy
that would otherwise apply. Medical
practices that are wholly owned by the NHS
will be made exempt from any levy charge.
8. Please note, no exemption or discounts will
be issued to listed buildings and those who
pay discounted business rates are not entitled
to a levy discount as well.
In light of recent events, a
cautious approach has been
adopted to providing the
indicative budget for the
renewed BID term. The table to
the right outlines how income
will be allocated across the
four programme areas.
30 | The BID Levy and Finances

INCOME 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 TOTAL
£k £k £k £k £k £k
Levy income @ 1% 700 795 795 795 795 3,880
Levy collection fee -25 -25 -25 -25 -25 -125
Total Income 675 770 770 770 770 3,755
EXPENDITURE 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 TOTAL
Appearance 200 200 200 200 200 1,000
Safe 160 160 160 160 160 800
Experience 150 150 150 150 150 750
Business Support 140 140 140 140 140 700
Total Programmes 650 650 650 650 650 3,250
Management 120 120 120 120 120 600
Total Expenditure 770 770 770 770 770 3,850
NET reserves 130 35 35 35 35 35
1. All figures are estimates based on historic and likely future trends. Programme costs may change over the term
subject to Board approval.
2. Levy income figures are estimated based on National Non-Domestic Rates listings as of January 2021. A
reduced levy collection rate of 85% is estimated for year 1, due to Covid-19. For the following 4 years, it is
assumed to return to the typical rate of 97%.
3. As well as revenue generated from the levy, the BID will seek to secure additional funding from sponsorship,
voluntary contributions and other sources.
4. Management costs are estimated at 16% of total expenditure.
5. City of York Council will be responsible for collecting the levy, after which all collected funds will be transferred
to the BID. It has been agreed that the annual fee for levy collection services will not exceed £25,000.
6. During the first term, the BID adopted a prudent reserves policy that provided flexibility to deliver ad-hoc
projects e.g. in response to Covid-19. Some reserves will be carried forward from term 1 to maintain cashflow.
7. NET reserves brought forward from term 1 will be deemed a contingency fund and will bolster finances in light
of any future disruption caused by Covid-19 (e.g. shortfall in levy collection).
31

GOVERNANCE
The York Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, not
for profit company that is solely accountable to its members. The
company is governed by a voluntary board of directors and advisors
who provide strong governance, strategic direction and ensure
oversight and scrutiny of the delivery of the BID business plan.
The Board is made up of influential representatives from the key business sectors, partner organisations
and levy paying businesses in the city centre. Board positions are refreshed every two years as per the
company articles of association and elections ratified during an annual general meeting which typically
takes place in June each year.
An Operating Agreement, which includes the Council’s Baseline service commitments, has been agreed
with City of York Council. A copy can be found at www.theyorkbid.com. The Company shall meet
quarterly with the City of York Council, as the Billing Authority, to monitor service delivery, levy collection
and financial management issues.
THE BOARD
Michael Hjort (Chairman)
York Food & Drink Festival/
Walmgate Ale House & Bistro
Robert Onyett
Harrowells Solicitors
Cllr Andy D’Agorne
Deputy Leader of City of
York Council
Frank Wood
R. A. Braithwaite Jewellers
Phil Pinder
York Retail Forum/ The Potions Cauldron
Colin Crawford
Aviva (retired)
Neil Sanderson
York Minster Fund
Sarah Czarnecki
Hospitality Association York/
Grays Court
Angela Horner
Browns Department Store
Cllr Andrew Waller
Executive Member for Economy
& Strategic Planning
Neil Setterfield
Fenwick York
Sean Bullick
Make It York
Lotte Inch
Lotte Inch Gallery
Alistair Graham
York City Centre Resident
32 | Governance

““We’re really pleased with how the York
BID has supported York businesses during
Coronavirus restrictions and lockdown. It has
stood out as one of the most proactive and
dynamic organisations, and has been one of
the few that has actually made any positive
impact on our hotel and restaurant business in
York city centre. The outside seating area on
College Green was a clever way to support our
fellow food operators who
did not have any outside
space; and the street
rangers provided a happy,
friendly, and welcoming
face to the city.”
Rebecca Hill | Galtres Lodge Hotel
““It’s
never felt so important for different
educators, businesses and organisations in
York to be working together with common
purpose. The York BID helps us to do that.
Its work on making the city a clean, safe, and
attractive place to live, learn and visit is an
essential part of the overall offer
to people who are choosing
where to study, and
something we really value at
York St John University.”
Marc Fleetham | Director of Business
Development & Knowledge Exchange
York St John University
33

““The York BID is something which has brought
benefits to the city centre on several fronts.
My personal thoughts relate to the improved
appearance of the streets and the removal of
defacing graffiti. Both elements are important
to enhancing the city’s offering. Also assistance
with shopfronts being made more attractive
when they have been vacated as shops,
pending re-letting, is a contributory factor in
this respect.
Anything which enhances overall appearances
must be beneficial to the city as a whole and
help to attract visitors to the
centre and thereby increase
footfall, so very important
to the wellbeing of retailers
in particular.”
Barry Crux | Director
Barry Crux & Company Chartered Surveyor
““City Cruises York really value our relationship
“The
with York BID. Their city centre initiatives are
of great benefit to us as a business, to our
passengers, and also our employees who are
also residents of York. We certainly feel that the
services we receive are excellent value for the
levy we pay each year. In particular,
the Street Rangers, the
Street Cleaning, and York
Restaurant Week have
made a noticeable
difference to the city.”
“
great thing about having York BID
in place is the reassurance it gives you as
an independent business that there is a
collective working together to improve the
local economy and experience for all, not
just tourists but our local community. We
are delighted to be part of York
BID and look forward to
continuing to support
their great work over the
coming years!”
Mark Mattinson | Sales & Marketing Manager
City Cruises York
Sarah-Jane Taylor | Operations Director
Preston & Baker
34

PARTNERS
We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to partner
organisations who have supported the BID during its first term as
well as collaborated to deliver significant improvements for York
city centre. Here are just some of the organisations we’ve worked
with to add value to your investment:
Partners | 35

Contact
The York BID
The Red House
1 Duncombe Place
York
YO1 7ED
Email
info@theyorkbid.com
Phone 01904 809970
Website
theyorkbid.com
Social Media @theyorkbid
Credits
Cover images by Gareth Buddo | Furmoto
Other images provided by Visit York, York Mix
& Andy Little
Designed by Sarah Shipley Design