Welcome to Swindon BID

Businesses across the town centre are currently exploring the opportunity to create a new Business Improvement District (BID) to deliver meaningful, long-term improvements to the local trading environment. This initiative is being developed by and for local businesses, offering a new way to invest in the town centre's future. We are currently in the consultation phase of this journey, engaging with businesses across the area to co-develop a Business Plan that reflects their priorities. The aim is to move towards a ballot in early 2026, with a view to launching operations on 1 April 2026 if the vote is successful.

You can read our current reports and findings here:

There are over 300 BIDs in the UK. To see how successful BIDs work in other places, please see:

What Is a BID?

About Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business-funded initiative that enables businesses in a defined area to collectively invest in improvements they want to see. A BID is created through a democratic ballot process and is managed by a local partnership or not-for-profit company.

BIDs work alongside, not instead of, council and police services. They focus on locally agreed priorities such as events, place activation, business support, or safety.

Over 330 BIDs operate successfully across the UK, including in Bath, Bristol, Reading, Winchester, and Cheltenham — delivering tangible improvements and measurable returns for their levy payers.

Swindon BID Potential

A new Swindon BID could raise over £500,000 per year, directly invested in projects such as:

  • Town centre vibrancy and destination marketing

  • Clean, green and safe streets

  • Support for local traders and employers

  • Footfall-driving events and seasonal campaigns

“Swindon is at a pivotal moment. The BID's focus on grassroots investment and a unified business community will be crucial to unleashing Swindon's full potential and making the most of these exciting strategic projects. This is an exciting time for Swindon, and I truly believe this is our moment.”

— Heidi Alexander, MP and Secretary of State for Transport

  • Businesses with a rateable value above a set threshold (likely £7,000) will pay an annual levy, expected at 1.5% of their rateable value.

  • A Board made up of local business representatives will manage and oversee the delivery of the Business Plan.

  • No BID is created and no levy is collected and no additional services are created.

  • The former BID ended without proper consultation. This new initiative is based on deep engagement, transparency, and business leadership.

  • No. The BID levy is ringfenced and spent exclusively in the BID area on projects chosen by businesses.

  • Yes — if your business is within the proposed BID area and meets the threshold, you will receive a ballot and can vote yes or no.

  • Bath BID and Cheltenham BID both showcase the long-term benefits of business-led town centre investment.

  • The BID development process is largely being undertaken by Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub through funding by Swindon Borough Council.

BID BASICS

BID Aims

Based on the feasibility study, the BID would likely pursue a comprehensive set of themes to address key challenges and opportunities in the town centre. These themes are intended to be a foundation, with the final business plan to be shaped by further consultation with businesses.

A Brighter, Cleaner, Safer Town Centre

Enhanced Security and Safety: This could include initiatives like a dedicated BID-funded warden service to provide a reassuring presence, working in close partnership with Wiltshire Police to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime. The aim is to create a more secure environment for businesses, employees, and visitors.

Street Care and Cleanliness: The BID would work to enhance the physical environment beyond core council services. This could involve regular deep-cleaning of streets, removal of graffiti and fly-tipping, and the introduction of new planting schemes or landscaping to improve the aesthetic appeal of key public spaces.

Vibrant Places and Increased Footfall

Events and Activations: The BID would aim to create a year-round programme of events, markets, and cultural activations to attract new visitors and increase footfall. This would be a coordinated effort to animate vacant units and public spaces, providing a diverse offer that makes the town a destination.

Place Marketing and Digital Promotion: A BID would be able to fund and deliver a coordinated marketing and promotion strategy for the town centre. This would involve a new digital communications platform and using social media to highlight local businesses, events, and the unique character of Swindon.

Tailored Business Support and Advocacy

Sector-Specific Support: The BID would offer tailored support to different business sectors. This could include a 'Shop Front Grant Scheme' to improve the appearance of retail premises, business forums and training for traders, and group buying schemes to help businesses reduce their overhead costs.

Office Sector Engagement: While the office sector is often harder to engage, the BID would develop bespoke approaches to articulate its value, such as facilitating corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, offering employee wellbeing programmes, and providing recruitment support.

Advocacy and Partnership: The BID would provide a collective voice for businesses, acting as a crucial liaison with Swindon Borough Council and other stakeholders to advocate for improvements and influence policy.

These themes will evolve in response to feedback from consultation and are designed to deliver visible, lasting improvements to the town centre.

Consultation.

Please tell us more! We have some good ideas for a Swindon BID based on the initial consultation and research of good practice from elsewhere. But what else? We will be very active in the area in the coming months seeking to meet with as many business people as possible to enrich the business plan further and we would love more feedback.

get involved. the next steps…

We want to hear from YOU. Throughout Summer and Autumn 2025, we are running 1-2-1 meetings, sector workshops, and an online survey. Your views will shape the final Business Plan that goes to ballot.

BID Ballot expected: Early 2026
BID Start Date (if successful): 1 April 2026

Consultation Round II

Extensive consultation was undertaken as part of the feasibility study. We are seeking to build on this with further consultation:

  • Fill in our online survey above

  • Book a 1-to-1 consultation – please get in touch with us (see below)

  • Attend a sector meeting:

    • HOTEL SECTOR 11:00am 17 September - The Great Western Hotel, Station Road

    • OFFICE SECTOR 2:00pm 24 September - Meca, Regent Circus

    • RETAIL SECTOR 6:00pm 24 September - Meca, Regent Circus

Shadow Board

We are interested to hear from businesses that wish to take a close involvement in the development of the business plan and potentially overseeing the running of the BID if a successful ballot is reached. If you are interested please contact George Grace on george@swindonbid.co.uk

Contact Us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!