Watford Borough Council has today declared that Watford town centre businesses voted in favour of a third Business Improvement District (BID) term from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
Watford BID Ltd will continue operating for a minimum of a further five years, delivering over £3 million of investment in a range of exciting town centre projects whilst providing a coordinating voice to unite its businesses and communities.
Over 450 businesses and organisations in the retail, leisure, cultural, voluntary, office and public sectors in the area were given the opportunity to vote on whether they wanted a third term of Watford Town Centre BID between 12 September 2025 to 9 October 2025. The result of the ballot sees an overwhelming majority of 91.66% of businesses voting “yes” and an even greater majority of 95.29% by rateable value voting in favour of the BID. The turnout of eligible voters for the Watford Town Centre BID ballot was recorded as 49% in Watford Borough Council’s declaration.
The news has been warmly received by Kara Mesiano, Watford Town Centre BID’s manager and company secretary:
”We thank all our businesses for their resounding confidence in our Business Improvement District; this significant yes vote speaks volumes of the exceptional progress we have made as a town and a BID during this second term. Both the percentage of businesses voting in favour and the turnout in this ballot is significantly higher than the previous two Watford BID ballots, which is a testament to our outstanding progress and the heightened engagement from our levy payers.
Our town centre continues to thrive in the face of nationwide socioeconomic challenges and we are grateful that our businesses see the value in having a dynamic BID that further supports growth in the area. We pledge to collaborate with our businesses and stakeholders to ensure our town remains a dynamic, safe and welcoming place where its businesses flourish.”
A BID is a business-led partnership which enables coordinated investment in the management and marketing of a commercial area. Over 330 BIDs are already operating successfully around the UK, including at least one in every major city. BIDs do not replace local authority and police services, but provide additional, supplementary resources and activities.
Watford Town Centre BID’s third term will be funded by over 450 hereditaments in the BID’s defined geographical area with a rateable value of over £12,000. The charge issued to those businesses will be a 2% levy of their rateable value, with a portion of those receiving a reduced rate if they fall within specified criteria outlined in the BID levy rules. Watford Town Centre BID will deliver activities and initiatives that enhance the town centre experience, promote the area, support business growth, champion collaboration and embrace sustainability and innovation.
Simon Plumb, Chairman of Watford Town Centre BID and Centre Director of Harlequin Watford, commented: “I am absolutely delighted that our businesses have overwhelmingly voted ‘yes’ for a further five years of Watford Town Centre BID, it shows that they truly believe in the business plan and the BID team’s ability to deliver it successfully. The comprehensive result in this ballot proves our BID to be one of the outstanding town centre BIDs operating in the UK today and we’re pleased that our levy payers recognise that.
Watford Town Centre BID’s third term will benefit all businesses no matter the size or sector and we are confident that with our BID in place, we can unlock even more potential for Watford Town Centre.”
In the past ten years, Watford Town Centre BID has delivered projects to enhance the look and feel of the town including summer floral displays, spectacular festive lights, colourful lamppost banners and the captivating neurodiversity umbrella project. The BID has raised the profile of its businesses utilising the Watford Town Centre social media channels and website, reaching over 2.5 million online users whilst encouraging footfall in the town with events such as Winterfest, Trick or Treat week and the Cultural Party. The previous business plan also underlined how the BID would work with stakeholders to secure the future of the town, and that has certainly been achieved with the Watford Business Against Crime (WBAC) scheme, business improvement grants, Watford Gift Card sales and the cardboard collection service.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “This is a fantastic result and a massive vote of confidence in Watford Town Centre BID. They do so much to support our high street and work hard to make the town centre such a welcoming and successful place.
Most people will recognise the BID’s work from the fantastic summer flowers to the wonderful Christmas lights. They have made such a positive difference to our town centre, and I’m delighted that their work will continue for the foreseeable future. Congratulations!”
Looking ahead, the Watford Town Centre BID business plan 2026-2031 outlines how the BID aims to build on the successes of the first and second terms. There will be a continuation of the services and activities which have proven to be popular with levy payers and key stakeholders in the past ten years. In addition, the BID will implement new ideas that have been provided by extensive survey feedback and consultation with levy payers.
The business plan outlining Watford Town Centre BID’s plans over the next five years is available to download online at ballot.watfordtowncentre.com.
