On 3rd November 2023, the result was announced. Levy Payers have voted for five more years of direct business support, marketing, events and programmes that help Andover become a more vibrant and sustainable town centre.
Andover Town Centre BID Ltd (Andover BID) is a business-driven organisation dedicated to boosting Andover’s economic vitality. Managed by a board of local business owners and managers, our mission is to support local businesses and promote Andover as an appealing place to live, work, and visit.
The Next Five Years
Over the next five years, Andover BID aims to increase footfall and spending in the town centre and strengthen partnerships with local businesses and organisations. We also plan to support businesses in building resilience, enhancing safety through CCTV revitalisation, addressing climate change issues, diversifying funding sources, and fostering positive community relationships.
Voting Timeline
Receive Ballot Papers from: 5th October 2023
Voting Closes: 2nd November 2023
Result Announced: 3rd November 2023
If it succeeds, the second BID term starts: 1st April 2024
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FAQ’s
Under BID legislation, all BIDs are required to hold a renewal ballot every five years, allowing businesses to vote if they’d like their town or city to be a Business Improvement District. Andover BID’s current term comes to an end in March 2024, at which time all our activities will cease if we do not renew. If Andover BID is to remain as a BID, a postal ballot of eligible businesses must be held by Test Valley Borough Council to determine whether it will continue its activities for a further five-year term. The ballot will ask a simple question: Are you in favour of the proposals for the Andover Town Centre BID Ltd (BID)? In advance of the ballot, you will receive a letter inviting you to nominate who should vote on behalf of your organisation. You can also nominate someone else to represent your business, a proxy voter.
For Andover BID to continue operating for another five-year term, the ballot must be successful on two counts. The majority of businesses must vote ‘yes’ and of the businesses who vote in favour of the BID, their combined rateable value must exceed the combined rateable value of the businesses that vote ‘no’.
No one. There is no alternative organisation to Andover BID.
The BID is funded by businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of £10,000 or more in the BID’s defined area. The levy will be charged at 2% of the rateable value as of the 1st of April 2024, based on the 2023 rating list. The levy for tenants occupying premises in The Chantry Centre will be charged at 1.5% of the rateable value.
These funds are spent on delivering improvements to Andover in line with the BID’s business plan.
No, because all rateable values are different. Each business contributes a levy equal to 2% of their premises’ rateable value (or 1.5% for tenants in the Chantry Centre).
The Andover BID area covers the central town centre area. You can view the full list of streets and the map on the BID Business Plan.
Andover BID is governed by a Board of voluntary directors representing levy-paying businesses or organisations within the BID boundary. The Board is responsible for the strategic and financial management of the BID.
The BID employs a team who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the BID and delivery of projects, services, and events.
All Andover BID members receive an annual report with their levy bills. Newsletters are sent out regularly.
The council is by law the billing authority for any BID, which means it is responsible for the collection of BID levies. Andover BID provides additional services to the area and should not be confused with local authorities who provide statutory services. While the levy bill is based on 2% of the rateable value of your business (or 1.5% for businesses within the Chantry Centre), it is separate from the Business Rates Bill. All BIDs in the UK are governed by regulations which are set by the central Government.
You will receive your ballot papers by Tracked 24-hour post around 5 October 2023 from Test Valley Borough Council via Civica Election Services. Simply put a cross in the voting box then place the ballot paper in the pre-paid envelope provided and place them in the ballot box available in Andover Library or return by post before voting closes on 2 November 2023.
Andover BID is an independent not-for-profit organisation working for the collective benefit of businesses in the area. It was set up by local businesses to increase the attractiveness and appeal of Andover as a place to do business, to futureproof the area and attract inward Investment.
