BID levy
What is a BID?
A BID (Business Improvement District) is a partnership that allows businesses to access additional services, business support and representation. Implemented in 2004, BID legislation allows businesses to formally designate an area and leverage additional funding to be spent on priorities that matter to them.
How is a BID set up?
Over half of the businesses from the designated area who vote, must vote in favour of forming a BID. In addition, the combined rateable value of the properties of the winning ‘yes’ voters must be more than 50% of the total rateable value of the properties of all the businesses that voted.
If successful, every business that meets the criteria automatically becomes a BID member and pays a levy each year, which is spent to deliver the aims of the BID business plan.
Who manages the BIDs?
In Liverpool, it’s nice and simple. There are three BIDs that are managed by the Liverpool BID Company, a private not-for-profit organisation, working on behalf of 1,000 BID levy payers:
- Retail and Leisure BID
- Culture and Commerce BID
- Accommodation BID
For more information about the BID or the Liverpool BID Company visit liverpoolbidcompany.com
How much?
- If you are in the Retail and Leisure BID 2023-2028 and your property's rateable value is £45,000 or above, you are a BID levy payer. The BID levy is 2% of the rateable value with a cap of £45,000.
- For the Culture and Commerce BID, the property must have a rateable value over £45,000 and the BID levy is 1.6% with a maximum payment of £40,000.
- For the Accommodation BID, it's 4.5% of the rateable value with a maximum payment of £50,000.
View a map of Liverpool's BID areas
How to pay
BID levy charges are administered by Liverpool City Council on behalf of the Liverpool BID Company. If you are paying for more than one property, you should send a copy of the remittance advice to use by email to RBS.cashoffice@liverpool.gov.uk.
Pay online
You can pay a current Retail and Leisure or Culture and Commerce BID levy, or Retail and Leisure which predates 31st October 2018, using the buttons below.
Pay a historic Retail & Leisure BID levy online (up to 31/10/18)
Pay by post
Send a cheque payable to 'Liverpool City Council' to Liverpool City Council, Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool, L3 1AH. Please write your account number on the reverse of the cheque.
Pay by BACS
BACS details to be quoted when making payment are sort code 20-51-01, account number 50294217 and your account number shown in your BID levy bill.
What do I do if I think I am not liable for all or part of the levy?
You should contact the Non-Domestic Rates Team at Liverpool City Council straight away and give full details.
- Email: business.unit@liverpool.gov.uk
- Call: 0800 0283 697.
Can I opt out of the levy?
This is not possible as the BID levy is a legal requirement just like business rates and is treated as a statutory debt.
The legislation which relates to the BID levy is The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004 and the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.
I am struggling to pay the BID levy. What can I do?
We understand the difficulties that some businesses face at this time. If you would like to discuss payment please get in touch via business.unit@liverpool.gov.uk.
What if I have an appeal or proposal outstanding on my rateable value?
Payment cannot be withheld while your appeal is dealt with. This will not affect the amount of BID levy payable. The BID levy is calculated on the rateable value as at 1st June each year.