Business improvement districts in England: the UK government's proposals, enactment and guidance

This chapter discusses a legislative position that is applicable only in England and not to other parts of the United Kingdom. It considers the voting mechanism for creating a business improvement district (BID) in England and how the supplementary levy is applied. The chapter examines the creation of BIDs to date and those initial proposals that have been unsuccessful. In England the payment of the levy is compulsory once a BID has been established. In response to the UK government‘s proposal and subsequent enactment of BID legislation, M. Blackwell wrote of problems that may result from these proposals. The Crown and various other property types that are exempt from rates paid will still benefit from expenditure within the BID area. Different BID bodies have adopted different approaches to the distortions caused by the rating system upon which the levy is based.