Key Dates
Ballot Opens
12th September 2025
Ballot Closes
9th October 2025
Ballot Results
10th October 2025
How To Vote
All ballot papers are sent out to the registered address of the property which you are paying the levy on behalf of. If you wish for your ballot paper to be sent to an alternative address, please email the details to enquiries@watfordtowncentre.com.
1. Receiving Your Ballot
You should receive one ballot paper for each property that you are eligible to vote for by post. If you do not, please email: enquiries@watfordtowncentre.com.
2. Separate Return Envelopes
Please check that each ballot paper has its own return envelope.
3. Making Your Choice
Complete the ballot paper putting a cross (x) beside your choice to retain the BID for a further five years or not.
4. Signing Your Ballot
Write your name in BLOCK capitals and your POSITION in the business and then add your SIGNATURE.
5. Returning Your Ballot
Each ballot paper must be returned in its own separate envelope. Return your completed ballot paper(s) by post in the pre-paid envelope provided. Or alternatively it can be returned by hand to Watford Town Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Business Improvement District?
A Business Improvement District – or BID – is a way for local businesses to work together to tackle issues that affect their trading environment. Problems which are too large or widespread for any one business to address can be solved by all businesses coming together to finance and manage improvements. This can increase footfall, make it easier to retain staff, solve difficult issues and ultimately result in higher profits.
Are there BIDs elsewhere?
Businesses in hundreds of towns and cities across the country already benefit from being part of a BID. The nearest BIDs to Watford are in St Albans, Harrow, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, Hitchin and Letchworth. There are over 330 BIDs across the country.
What is the BID ballot?
The BID ballot is a process through which every person or organisation liable to pay the non-domestic rates for a property in the BID area gets to vote on whether they want to have a BID. This vote is based on the Business Plan which each business will received prior to the ballot paper. A ballot happens before a BID is set up or at the end of a BID’s five-year term. An organisation with multiple properties will get multiple votes.
What if I am unable to vote?
You may appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Applications to appoint a proxy must be submitted to Watford Borough Council no later than 5pm on 28 September 2025. Please contact the Returning Officer, Watford Borough Council, Electoral Services Office, Room 22, Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX. Alternatively you can email: gordon.amos@watford.gov.uk or call 01923 278339.
How will a YES vote be determined?
The new BID term will go ahead only if firstly the number of YES votes exceed the number of NO votes; and secondly if the total rateable of the properties that voted YES exceeds the total rateable value of those that voted NO. Votes are counted by officials at Watford Borough Council, who will then announce the result on 10 October 2025.
Where does Watford Town Centre BID get its money from?
The BID is funded primarily by all the eligible businesses and organisations in the BID paying an annual BID levy. This levy income is used to lever in more funding; for example from public sector agencies, grant bodies and sponsorship during the 5-year term, maximising the potential funding stream and the benefits that the BID can achieve.
How is the BID levy calculated?
The charging mechanism is simple and fair. The BID levy will be charged at 2% of the Rateable Value of each eligible business within the BID area. Retailers that pay a service charge to Harlequin Watford Shopping Centre are charged at the lower rate of 1.75%. Registered charitable organisations not based within a retail unit will pay a reduced BID levy rate of 0.25% for the entire BID term.
How is the BID held accountable to its levy payers?
Watford BID Ltd is a non-profit organisation, limited by guarantee. The BID Board is made up of representatives from different business sectors operating in the BID area. Its directors are elected annually and meet every two months, with the responsibility for governance matters such as financial arrangements, contractual obligations, human resources, standards and compliance. Annual accounts are compiled by independent accountants and filed with Companies House. The accounts are available to all levy payers, and an annual report is given to all levy payers. As a non-profit company, any additional income generated is spent in the BID area.
How will the BID measure success?
The BID will continue to survey businesses annually to receive feedback on the projects and services that we provide, outlined in our 2026-2031 Business Plan. The BID will discontinue any projects and services that are deemed unsatisfactory by a majority of survey respondents.
When was Watford BID Ltd established?
Watford BID Ltd began trading on 3 April 2016 following a successful ballot in October 2015. A BID can only operate for a maximum term of five years, after which it must again hold a ballot to determine whether businesses want another five-year term. Watford BID Ltd’s second five-year term began on 1 April 2021 and will come to an end on 31 March 2026.
Are Watford BID Ltd and Watford Town Centre BID the same organisation?
Yes. Watford BID undertook a rebrand and began trading as Watford Town Centre BID from 1 July 2023. This was to more accurately depict the BID area, whilst having significant marketing benefits by launching @WatfordTownCentre and watfordtowncentre.com.
When is the Watford Town Centre BID ballot?
The ballot for Watford Town Centre BID’s second term will take place from 12 September 2025 to 9 October 2025. Ballot papers will be issued via post by Watford Borough Council and must be returned to Watford Town Hall before 5pm on 9 October 2025. If the ballot is successful, the new BID term will start on 1 April 2026. If it is unsuccessful, the company will cease trading on 31 March 2026.
What if I don’t receive my ballot paper?
Ballot papers will be posted out on 4th January 2021. If you have not received your ballot paper by Friday 29 January 2021, then you may apply in writing to Watford Borough Council for a replacement paper. The letter must be signed by the Eligible Voter and evidence of the voter’s identity must be provided. Please contact the Returning Officer, Watford Borough Council, Electoral Services Office, Room 22, Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX. Alternatively you can email: gordon.amos@watford.gov.uk or call 01923 278339.
What will Watford Town Centre BID deliver for the next five years?
Full details on what Watford Town Centre BID has achieved in its first two terms and plans for its third term can be found in the BID Business Plan.
Who has to pay the BID levy?
The person or organisation liable to pay the non-domestic rates for the property, with a rateable value of £10,000 or more, is liable to pay the BID levy. Where a property is occupied, this will be the occupier, for empty properties the person or organisation entitled to occupy the property is liable to pay. This will normally be the leaseholder or the owner.
I already pay Business Rates, why isn’t the council providing these services?
By law the services provided by a BID must be additional services to those provided by the local authorities or enhancements to existing services. This means the BID levy does not pay for statutory or Council services, but it will contribute to enhancing an activity or service the Council provides. BIDs succeed because they are focused, cost-efficient, entrepreneurial and add significant value to an area. They provide additional, supplementary resources and activities, an outline of these services can be found in the Business Plan.
If I vote against the BID do I still have to pay?
If the BID ballot is successful then all non-domestic ratepayers in the BID area from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 will have to pay an annual BID levy. This includes persons or organisations who become ratepayers after the date of the ballot. Even if you voted no you are still obliged to pay the annual levy.
How can I find out more about Watford Town Centre BID?
The 2026-2031 Business plan and www.watfordtowncentre.com provides plenty of information for residents, businesses and visitors to find out more about the BID. The BID team and board are available to discuss plans for a third BID term with you. This can be via email, phone, video call or face-to-face meeting. Please contact the office to arrange this by calling 01923 919989 or email kara@watfordtowncentre.com
