International Precinct Management: UK Case Study
Catherine Mitton, Executive Director
The BID Foundation & Institute of Place Management
@Cat_Mitton | @BIDFoundationUK | @PlaceManagement
Presentation Outline
1 Development of BIDs in the UK2 Defining the urban/precinct management concept3 Best practice in UK BIDs4 Fundamental issues facing UK BIDs5 Establishment of The BID Foundation
1.Development of BIDs in the UK
Sources of Information
• Institute of Place Management, 2019, A state-of-the-art review of Business Improvement Districts: Setting the agenda for policy, practice and research, Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester
• Institute of Place Management, 2018, Scottish BIDs: An Independent Review, Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester.
• Bristol City Centre BID, Business Plan, https://bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk/about-us/
Scrutiny group
BID
Formal
Informal
Private funding
Public funding
Public-private partnership
(Regeneration)Community
interest company
Traders’ Association
Civic Society
Town team
Town Centre Management
Source: Adapted from Coca-Stefaniak et al, 2008
“A [UK] Business Improvement District is a defined area where business rate payers [levy payers] agree to pay a levy into a fund for a fixed period. Specific agreed initiatives are then delivered to improve the area for businesses.
A BID is commenced when an independent ballot has been conducted. To be successful there must be both a simple majority of the number who vote and a simple majority of the aggregate rateable value represented by those who vote.
A BID cannot deliver services that the council currently delivers.”
What is a UK BID?
320 BIDs in the UK
80 are Members of The BID Foundation
BIDs by their legal form
RECENT RESEARCH
Provide a detailed outline of the development of BIDs
Analyse the antecedents of the current position of the BID ‘industry’ as at the end of 2018
Identify and discuss current - and potential future - issues facing BIDs, to inform potential policy initiatives
England
81%London
19%
Ireland
2%
Northern Ireland
3%
Scotland
12%
Wales
4%
BIDs distribution (%)
Geography Number of BIDs per
million inhabitants.
Date legislation
introduced
Average levy
UK 4.59 N/A £355,422
England 4.41 2003/4 £423,084
Scotland 7.04 2006/7 £163,894
Wales 3.87 2005 £280,456
Northern
Ireland
4.21 2013/4 £505,000
Geographical variations in BIDs
Cumulative Number of BIDs (start date)
1430
4261
7989
106
134
154
187
211
252
279
303320
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
First Term
55%
Second Term
28%
Third Term
15%
Fourth Term
2%
BIDs and their term period
Year BID
Established
Number of BIDs
Established
Average Annual BID Levy £
Average Number of Hereditaments
2005 14 £629,002 517
2006 16 £294,552 377
2007 13 £311,807 363
2008 19 £358,862 583
2009 18 £302,501 496
2010 10 £387,695 438
2011 17 £309,924 448
2012 29 £332,252 441
2013 22 £330,952 331
2014 35 £222,502 408
2015 28 £385,134 567
2016 44 £369,993 481
2017 32 £391,481 466
2018 28 £349,252 394
Average 23 £355,422 450
BID Income(UK)
2. Defining the urban/precinct management concept
Sources of Information
• Parker, C, Ntounis, Millington, S, Quin, S and Castillo-Villar, F, 2017, ‘Improving the vitality and viability of the UK High Street by 2020: Identifying priorities and a framework for action’, Journal of Place Management and Development, 10, 4, 310-348
• Institute of Place Management, 2018, Scottish BIDs: An Independent Review, Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester.
The framework that enables BIDs to define their scope is contained
within Schedule 1 of the BID Regulations (clause c, d and e) as follows
(c) a description of the geographical area (including a map showing that area) in which
the proposed BID arrangements are to have effect;
(d) a statement of whether all non-domestic ratepayers in the geographical area or a
specified class of them are to be liable to the BID levy, an explanation of how the amount
of the BID levy to be levied is to be calculated and an explanation of whether any of the
costs incurred in developing the BID proposals, holding of the ballot or implementing the
BID are to be recovered through the BID levy;
(e) a statement of the specified class of non-domestic ratepayer (if any) for which and the
level at which any relief from the BID levy is to apply;
How do we define BIDs in UK?
201 factors influence vitality and viability
1.How much influence each factor has on the vitality and viability of the High Street
2.How much control a location has over the factor
Child-minding centre
Leadership
Location
Opening hours
Political climate
Get on with it!
Live with itForget it
Not worth it
Ho
w m
uch
co
ntr
ol o
ve
r a
fa
cto
r
How much each factor influences vitality and viability
ACTIVITY HOURS
APPEARANCE
RETAIL /SERVICE OFFER
VISION&STRATEGY
EXPERIENCE
MANAGEMENT
MERCHANDISE
NECESSITIES
ANCHORS
NETWORKS & PARTNERSHIPS
DIVERSITYWALKING
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
PLACE ASSURANCE
ATTRACTIVENESS
ACCESSIBLE
PLACE MARKETING
COMPARISON/CONVENIENCE
RECREATIONAL SPACE
BARRIERS TO ENTRY
CHAIN VS …
SAFETY/CRIME
LIVEABLE
ADAPTABILITY
2,7
2,9
3,1
3,3
3,5
3,7
3,9
3,3 3,5 3,7 3,9 4,1 4,3 4,5 4,7Ho
w m
uch
ce
ntr
e c
an
infl
ue
nce
fa
cto
r
How much factor influences vitality and viability
Top 25 factors
Scottish BIDs Activities
3. Best practice from UK BIDs
The Issue:
24/7Consumer
Convenience
The Answer:
Better Local Planning Policy
Enforcement
“We were hit in Swansea by out-of- town complexes, along with internet sales and this whole era of convenience everything. But because we have a strong partnership with the local authority, there is now a policy of no more out-of-town developments.”
Juliet Luporini, Chair of Swansea BID
“Build Studios plugs a hole in the built environment sector by bringing together the most creative young businesses to work in an affordable central London setting. We’ll only take members who can demonstrate that they understand the ethos of the place, which is to support each other to grow and learn, to team up to pitch for work, to raise the aspirations of the generation after them and to think about the problems of modern city living.”
Ben Stephenson, Chief Executive,
We Are Waterloo
The Issue:
Affordable Business
Space
The Answer:
Co-working Spaces
The Issue:
Diminishing Police Funds
and Resources
The Answer:
Blended Resilience
Teams
The Answer:
Curating the High Street
The Issue:
Vacant Retail
Property
C159 is the pioneering project putting Camden Town at the heart of the UK’s creative community, tackling unemployment, declining commercial occupancy and the overall image of the area as a place to live and work. This is achieved partly by taking on the leases of office/retail units to create mixed-use developments; providing pop ups, events spaces, skills training spaces prioritized for local people, all provided for free.
4. A synthesis of the fundamental issues facing UK BIDs
BIDs and Government
National – TBF as co-ordinated voiceRegional - LEPs as important relationship for BIDsLocal – Improvements in consistency needed
BIDs and Local Government
Levy collection/Operating agreement• Efficiency and effectiveness of collection concerns
(Cap/Outsource?)• 2017 Revaluation raised unanticipated consequences (budget
deficits/unwanted cost increases/treatment of ‘inflation’)
BIDs and Local Government
Additionality/Baseline agreement• See-saw effect of public sector cuts v need• Both ends of the spectrum witnessed – do all v do none• What does ‘place management’ need ‘cherry on the cake’!• We must demonstrate to Government where the tipping point
is for business willingness/ability to support
Governance
• Professionalism of staff is paramount• Effective and robust engagement of Directors – Liable
parties!• Transparency is key
• BID material in public domain• Ballot notifications – early trigger = good democracy• Appeals – learn from them not shrouded in secrecy
Future of UK BIDs
• ‘Specialist’ BIDs – concept crisis or consolidation?
• ‘Community’ IDs – concept creep or positive evolution?
• Property Owner BIDs – when, where, how?
13 Recommendations
• The BID Foundation Positioning• Voice• Policy Influence• Broker for Review and Change
5. Establishment of The BID Foundation
Sources of Information
• Rocket Science, 2016, Representing BIDs: Meeting the changing demand for BID services in England: Analysis and options
Core Objectives of The BID Foundation
1. We will act as the custodian of the UK BIDs industry evolution and reputation, providing the strategic direction that enables BIDs to better serve their levy payers and stakeholders
2. We will advocate for BIDs, providing trusted and authoritative information that will develop a wider understanding of the role and significance of BIDs, and representing the BID industry to a wide range of stakeholders including national and local government
3. We will increase the impact BIDs have, advancing best policy, practice and innovation across the industry to ensure BIDs make the most positive contribution to the places and stakeholders they serve
4. We will ensure accountability and transparency, supporting and accrediting BIDs and setting the industry’s standards.
5. We will professionalise the industry through acting as an impartial and collegiate community of BIDs that enables the development of both shared and individual expertise and effectiveness.
EVENTSANNUAL CONFERENCE – LIVERPOOL & LONDON FOCUSSED SEMINARS – SHREWSBURY & READING
HIGH STREET FUND WORKSHOP - MANCHESTER 2030 CONSULTATION INQUIRY EVENT - LONDON
PRODUCTS & SERVICESREVIEW & RECRUIT
CHAIRS NETWORK
MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
BID MAP & BALLOT TRACKER
INDUSTRY MINIMUM STANDARDS EVALUATION
DEVELOPING BID GUIDANCE - COMING SOON
Advice for local authorities and others who are considering setting up a BID, with a view to improving industry standards at entry level
Advice and guidance on recruitment processes including review of job descriptions and person specifications
Evaluation of BID websites against a definitive checklist to meet minimum standards, supported by MHCLG, BRC and REVO
Comprehensive and exclusive one-stop data map on BIDs across the country, including ballot results
Bi-annual meeting to update and support BID Chairs, run by industry expert Dr Julie Grail
TRAINING AND RESEARCHGOVERNANCE
This 1-day course supports BID Managers and Boards to improve this vital component of BID administration
MASTERS IN PLACE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
BEST PRACTICE SHOWCASE
This training programme is a part-time taught course that is predominantly for existing practitioners in the place management sector
This booklet features a dozen case studies of projects delivered by BIDs in UK and offers advice on how to replicate and measure success
Research programme for 2020 to look at what effect BIDs have on local economies
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BIDs
POLICY & PUBLIC AFFAIRSINFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY
PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION WITH MINISTER JAKE BERRY MP
Contributing to the debate on BIDs by publishing reaction to articles and creating thought pieces challenging industry perspectives
Working at all levels of government to represent the interest of BIDs
SUPPORTING DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMMES
Acting as liaison between members and programmes, including grants and funding schemes
INDUSTRY THOUGHT PIECES
Hosted a BIDs Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons on 24th June 2019 to promote the benefits of BIDs to the Minister’s Parliamentary colleagues and to encourage MPs to better engage with them.
Thank you
Catherine Mitton, Executive Director
The BID Foundation & Institute of Place Management
@Cat_Mitton | @BIDFoundationUK | @PlaceManagement