Totally Stockport – Stockport’s Business Improvement District

What is a Business Improvement District – BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area. The benefits of BIDs are wide-ranging and include:

  • Businesses decide and direct what they want in their area
  • Businesses are represented and have a voice in issues affecting their trading area
  • BID levy money is ring-fenced for use only in the BID area
  • Increased footfall and spend
  • Improved staff retention
  • Reduced business costs
  • Enhanced marketing and promotion
  • Looking at infrastructure, pollution and movement
  • Guidance in place shaping vision activities
  • Facilitated networking opportunities with neighbouring businesses
  • Assistance in dealing with the Council, Police and other public bodies

BID 1 – April 1st 2017 to March 31st 2022
Following a ballot, in October 2016, businesses in the town centre voted in favour of Stockport town centre’s campaign to be designated a Business Improvement District, popularly referred to as a BID.

BID 2 – April 1st 2022 to March 31st 2027
Following the success and end of its 1st five-year term of BID 1, a ballot was carried out in October 2021 where BID levy payers voted in favour of an extended area of the town centre to continue operating as a Business Improvement District for a second term from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2027

The results

125 votes were cast / 25.7% of the total number eligible were cast of which 112 voted / 89.6% of votes cast in favour of Stockport’s Business Improvement District.

Through Stockport’s BID, an additional £400,000 of funds will be generated each year from a business levy. As each BID runs for a minimum period of five years, that’s £2m that will be used to deliver projects to improve the offering in Stockport town centre for everyone – visitors, residents and businesses.

Where is Stockport’s BID area?

To deliver the projects we have created Steering Groups, each made up of representatives from businesses within the BID area, who will work together to devise, manage and deliver initiatives and events for the benefit of everyone.

  • To work with retailers to create a better shopping experience
  • Improve parking
  • Improve and make more attractive pedestrian routes that better link the areas of the town
  • Find innovative ways to tackle empty properties
  • To expand upon current events that link across the town
  • To encourage an evening culture and bring the town to life – Alive after 5

We welcome your ideas and input. If you are interested in joining the group, please email the Totally Stockport office – info@totallystockport.co.uk or call 0161 537 9382

  • Reduce business costs
  • Facilitate small business loan fund
  • Work to improve safety to create a more welcoming town
  • Work to attract more businesses into the town
  • Devise ways to give employees better choice and encourage more use of town centre shops and facilities
  • Create a town centre business network

We welcome your ideas and input. If you are interested in joining the group, please email Stuart Broadbelt – McDonalds, Merseyway

  • To better define and communicate ‘what is Stockport’
  • To develop a trusted brand for Stockport building on Totally Stockport
  • totallystockport.co.uk
  • Improve and create new Town centre wide events
  • To improve the flow of communication
  • Better market Stockport as a destination of choice

We welcome your ideas and input. If you are interested in joining the group, please email the BID office – info@totallystockport.co.uk or call 0161 537 9382

  • Collection of usage of data to
    • Set performance indicators so BID outcomes can be measured
    • Determine walk-flow of traffic throughout the town centre
    • Improve the town centre experience, for everyone
  • Town centre Wi-Fi

We welcome your ideas and input. If you are interested in joining the Digital Stockport group, please email the BID Office – info@totallystockport.co.uk

We welcome your ideas and input. If you are interested Get in touch please email the bid.

Contact Totally Stockport’s BID Office Manager Lisa Noel – lisa.noel@totallystockport.co.uk

Call the Totally Stockport office on 0161 537 9382 or call in to: Suite G1.3, STOK 43-59 Prince’s Street, Stockport SK1 1RY