Knutsford Business Improvement District
Download our 5 year Plan for a Business Improvement District in Knutsford:
Once you have reviewed the draft plan, you can provide your feedback here:
A message from the chair of the BID
“A BID would be a first for Knutsford—something completely new and never tried here before. It’s a chance for us, the business community, to take the lead and make our own decisions about what our town really needs—not wait around for government direction. With £1million of private sector funding, we have the opportunity to drive bold, practical change that benefits Knutsford right now and builds a stronger future on our own terms.
The BID will focus on making Knutsford a more attractive, accessible and, importantly an, economically resilient destination. Investing in environmental enhancements and improved public spaces. A BID could support the development of the towns calendar of events to drive footfall and encourage even stronger local civic pride. The BID will also focus on marketing and PR to raise the profile of the town and promote all that Knutsford has to offer.”
Helen Rogers
Chair of the BID Steering Group and founder of Matix Accounts, a Knutsford centre-based business of 14 years.
What is a Business Improvement District?
A BID is an opportunity for businesses and organisations to take a lead in the management and improvement of Knutsford for a five year defined period.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR
The BID in Knutsford could generate over £1m of business led investment over a five-year period and will cost the average premises the equivalent of £1.27 / day, and for 60% of premises less than £1 day.
The investment will be delivered through a new private sector led Knutsford Business Improvement District Board. The Board will be made up of local businesses and organisations who contribute towards the BID and answerable to the wider business community who fund the BID.
WHERE DOES THE INVESTMENT COME FROM?
The investment will principally come from a small additional levy paid by each premises (hereditament) within the BID area with a rateable value above £2,500. The proposed model will cost the average premises the equivalent of £1.27 / day.
Together this will raise an investment of circa £1m, over 5 years, which we expect will lever in additional funding from a range of sources.
WHO DECIDES IF THE BID IS TO BE INTRODUCED?
All eligible premises will be able to take part in a 28-day postal ballot vote to approve or reject the BID proposal. This is expected to take place in November 2025.
If a majority vote in favour of the proposal from the number of votes cast, and this represents a majority in level of rateable value from votes cast, the BID will come into operation from 1st April 2026, when all premises with a rateable value above £2,500 would pay the small annual levy (equivalent to 2% of their rateable value) to fund investments planned by the BID.
What a BID will deliver for Knutsford
This proposed draft plan for Knutsford BID sets out three potential themes for investment and associated projects where a BID will make a pivotal impact:
THEME ONE
DESTINATION KNUTSFORD
THEME TWO
EXPERIENCE KNUTSFORD
THEME THREE
CONNECTED KNUTSFORD
Full details of the proposed projects for each of these themes are available for you to review in the Knutsford BID draft plan:
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS PLAN FOR A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN KNUTSFORD
Once you have reviewed the key themes and proposed projects within this draft plan, please provide your feedback through completing the online feedback form.
More Information
For more information or to get in touch, please contact John Graham on [email protected] or by phone on 07826 907742.