The BID‘s new Business Plan, developed with levy-paying businesses, sets out a shared vision ahead of the BID ballot taking place in Autumn 2026.

There are 544 levy-paying businesses across the BID area who fund the work delivered by the BID. The survey, which included questions about awareness of the BID, its work, and its future direction, received 187 responses: 57.6% from independent businesses and 42.4% from multinational businesses.

The findings demonstrate strong support for the BID’s work to date. Almost nine in ten survey respondents (89.3%) said they were aware of the BID and its activities, while 85% backed visitor and customer guides, visitor communication, events and activations. More than eight in ten businesses (82%) supported seasonal lighting and floral displays, with 83% supporting BID newsletters and social communications.

Looking ahead, businesses identified environmental and sustainability initiatives as a key priority, with 78% describing them as Very Important or Important.

The consultation showed that the majority of the respondents want the BID to continue evolving. The new Business Plan is therefore built around three priorities: Celebrated – A Promoted St Albans City; Welcoming – A Safe, Attractive and Sustainable City Centre; and Supported – A Thriving and Connected Business Community.

At its heart, the BID enables businesses to invest together in projects and services that benefit the whole City Centre. The new Business Plan also responds to the financial pressures businesses face, so it proposes reducing the levy rate in the first year of the proposed term. If the BID is voted in, businesses will invest £3.1 million over the next five years.

Alison Berneye, CEO, added:

“Our role is to bring businesses together and invest in the things that strengthen our City Centre as a place to trade, work, visit and enjoy. The Business Plan sets our direction, but we will keep listening, adapting and responding as business needs change. That’s what a successful, business-led BID should do.”

“This matters more than ever as Local Government Reorganisation brings a new Unitary Council covering both Dacorum and St Albans — a change that risks diluting the focus and representation St Albans has built over the past decade.”

St Albans City Centre BID is an independent, not-for-profit company led by a voluntary Board of local business and community leaders. Working alongside the Council and other partners, BID-funded services remain additional to the Council’s agreed Baseline Services.

Sarah Gillow, Chair of St Albans City Centre BID and Director of Galio Jewellers, said:

“As levy-paying businesses ourselves, it was important that this Business Plan genuinely reflected the views of the businesses we represent. This has been a collaborative process from the outset, bringing together the experience of the BID Board, the BID team and, most importantly, the businesses that invest in the BID every year.

“Businesses told us what they value, what they want us to continue delivering and where they want to see future investment. We’ve also listened to the financial pressures businesses are facing, which is why the levy rate will reduce in the first year of the proposed term while we continue to focus on making every pound deliver the greatest possible value.”

Businesses can read the 2027–2032 Business Plan here, find information about the ballot process and contact the BID team at info@stalbansbid.com.