Question 1

What is a BID?

Accepted Answer

A Business Improvement District (BID) operates within a defined geographical area. Businesses situated within the defined area pay a fixed levy based on their rateable value to fund the BID and the projects it delivers. A BID term runs for a maximum of 5 years, after which businesses must vote on whether to re-elect the BID for another term. There are more than 300 BIDs across the UK. Newport Now BID is not a government or council body. We are an independent, business-led organisation working on behalf of our levy payers to deliver additional value and improve the city centre.

Question 2

Can I opt out of the BID levy? Do I have to pay if I voted ‘no’ in the ballot?

Accepted Answer

The BID levy is a statutory payment governed by legislation. Therefore, there is no option to ‘opt out’. If you vote ‘no’ at ballot or reballot but the ballot results in a majority of businesses in favour (both in number and rateable value) you are liable to pay the levy. Full details of our levy rules are available on pages 12 & 13 of the Newport Now Business Plan for 2025-30 click here to view.

Question 3

Shouldn’t Newport City Council be using my business rates to do what the BID does?

Accepted Answer

The BID levy generates revenue that is ring-fenced for the BID area to be spent on projects for the benefit of businesses that pay the BID levy. All services provided by the BID must be additional to those provided by the City Council. Additionality is ensured through the production of a ‘Baseline Agreement’ which sets out the standard level of statutory service that is already provided by the City Council for the BID area. This ensures that the BID levy only funds services and projects over and above this level.

Question 4

What is the duration of a BID?

Accepted Answer

BIDs are set up if businesses in their area vote in favour of their formation. BIDs have a five-year lifespan and there must then be a further ballot of levy payers. Newport Now BID received a ‘yes’ vote at ballot in late 2014 and began operations in April 2015. The BID achieved a further successful ballot in late 2019, followed by a third successful ballot in late 2024  - with ‘yes’ votes by number 76% and by rateable value 86% - and began its third five-year term in April 2025. The next renewal ballot of levy payers will take place in late 2029.

Question 5

Who runs Newport Now BID?

Accepted Answer

The BID is a private not-for-profit company governed by a board of volunteer directors, all of whom either own or run businesses in the BID area (or are voluntary levy payers).
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The BID is managed on a day-to-day basis by Kevin Ward. Kevin’s company Kevin Ward Media Ltd provides management and PR services to the BID four days a week.
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The BID provides Street Ambassador and Night Ambassador services via a contract with Safestyle Security. Our Street Ambassadors are on duty Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Our Night Ambassadors are on duty 8pm-4am on Fridays and Saturdays.
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For more information, please visit our Meet The Team section.

Question 6

How much does the BID cost?

Accepted Answer

All businesses in the BID Area– which includes the traditional city centre (from the bottom of Commercial Street to the top of High Street) as well as some small trading areas on the riverfront, Clytha Park Road, Clarence Place and Mill Street (see the BID area map here) – with a rateable value of more than £5,000 per annum pay a 1.5% levy to Newport Now BID. Businesses in managed shopping centres pay a discounted levy of 1.25%. All businesses with a rateable value below £5,000 are exempt from the levy. They can, however, pay a voluntary levy to benefit from BID services. The BID also seeks external funding via grants to provide value for money to our levy payers.