Dates for the BID Business Plan Launch Roadshow are below

• Ross on Wye 25 August:
  • Business Meeting with the Ross Business Association: 6pm – 7:30pm The Kings Head Hotel (The Corn Exchange), 8 High St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL
  • ♿ Accessibility: Please visit the venue’s page or contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements.
• Ledbury 26 August:
  • Business Meeting with Ledbury Traders: 6pm to 7:30pm – The Old Grammar School (The Heritage Centre), Church Lane, Ledbury HR8 1DL
  • ♿ Accessibility: Restrictions may apply here; please visit the venue’s page or contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements.
• Leominster 27 August:
  • Business Meeting with Leominster Business Group: 6pm – 7:30pm – The Lion Ballroom, 17 Broad St, Leominster HR6 8DB
  • ♿ Accessibility: Please visit the venue’s page or contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements.
• Kington 1 September:
  • Joint Chamber of Commerce and TIC Meeting: 6pm – 7:30pm The Swan Hotel, Church Street, Kington, HR5 3AZ
  • ♿ Accessibility: Please visit the venue’s page or contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements.
• Hereford 2 September:
  • Day time Roadshow – 1pm – 2:30pm The Courtyard Café, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR
  • ♿ Accessibility: Please visit the venue’s page or contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements.
• Golden Valley 2 September:
  • Business Meeting with Golden Valley Traders: 6pm – 7:30pm The Hub St Peter’s Church, Church Road, Peterchurch, HR2 0RT
  • ♿ Accessibility: Please visit the venue’s page or contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements.
• Bromyard 3 September:
  • Business Meeting with the Bromyard Chamber of Commerce: 6pm – 7:30pm – The Falcon Hotel (The Mews), 4 Broad St, Bromyard, HR7 4BT
  • ♿ Accessibility: Please contact the venue directly if you have any specific access requirements or questions: 01885 483034.

HCBID Ballot Timeline

• Consultation Stage 1: 31/10/2025 – 14/12/2025 – COMPLETE
• Consultation Stage 2: 23/04/2026 – 14/06/2026 – COMPLETE
• Start date of Ballot: 17/09/2026
• Final day of Ballot: 15/10/2026
• Proposed HCBID Term start date: 01/01/2027 

BID Ballot 2026 Process Explained

• Consultation – BID Levy Paying Businesses are consulted to shape the proposal / Business Plan. This ensures the HCBID reflects the priorities of those businesses who will fund it.
• BID Proposal / Business Plan will be created by the HCBID team. It will outline the following:
  • The geographical area of the BID
  • BID Levy Rules, Levy Rate and business sectors to be included
  • Services and projects to be delivered during the BID Term
  • The outline budget
  • The duration of the BID (typically 5 years)
• Notice of Ballot – Due to government regulations relating to BID Ballots the Local Authority (Herefordshire Council) issues a formal notice of ballot to all eligible businesses that are categorised in the BID Proposal / Business Plan.
• Voting Period
  • Each eligible Hereditament liable for a BID Levy gets one vote.
  • Voting is by postal ballot and will last 29 days.
• Ballot Result – For the BID to be approved, it must meet two conditions:
  • Majority by number: More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote “YES”.
  • Majority by rateable value: The total rateable value of “YES” votes must exceed that of “NO” votes.
• Implementation – If successful, the BID is established or reinstated. All eligible businesses within the BID area are legally required to pay the BID Levy, which funds the agreed BID Proposal/ Business Plan.
• Hereditaments are the rateable properties within the BID boundary that determine which businesses are liable to pay the BID Levy. Each hereditament is listed on the Local Authority’s rating list and has a rateable value assigned by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)

The Ballot to continue the Herefordshire County BID will be held in line with the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004 by Herefordshire Council.

A nominated person, organisation or registered company that is listed on the non-domestic ratings list as being responsible for payment of the rates for a property (also referred to in the BID regulations as a Hereditament) within the BID Boundary on the day of the notice of Ballot proposed 1 September 2026 will receive a Ballot paper, Ballot letter and BID Proposal/ Business Plan will be entitled to vote in a secure postal ballot.

The Business Improvement District (BID) Ballot process is a formal, democratic procedure through which local businesses vote on whether to establish (or reinstate) a BID in their area. Here’s a clear breakdown of how it works in the UK:

The Information in this Section was relevant for Stage 2 Consultation only. It has been left here for information purposes only.

Herefordshire County Business Improvement District (HCBID) is continuing its year of consultation with all HCBID Levy Payers and Stakeholders. Consultation Stage 1 took place in November and December 2025 and Consultation Stage 2 went live on 23 April 2026 This consultation will help create an exciting Second Term BID Proposal / Business Plan for 2027-2032.  Before we invite you to vote in the Ballot, it is hugely important to us to understand your views. By sharing your views, you’ll help us shape a future that reflects the needs and ambitions of our local business community. Ensuring Herefordshire continues to thrive as a destination for visitors, investment, and growth.

Stage 2 Consultation How to Feedback

Levy Payers and stakeholders are encouraged to share their views as part of the Stage 2 Consultation process. Feedback can be provided through a number of channels to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part, including direct email responses, one-to-one Levy Payer discussions, Roadshows and Traders Meetings. All feedback received by 14 June 2026 will be considered as part of the ongoing development of the Herefordshire County Business Improvement District Ltd Business Plan 2027–2031. This consultation provides an important opportunity to comment on the proposed HCBID Rules, Sector list, emerging themes and potential projects, and to highlight any
gaps or priorities that should be considered before the final Business Plan is completed.

Consultation Stage 2 is the next formal engagement phase with Levy Payers in the run‑up to the Herefordshire County BID Ballot. It builds on the insights gathered during the Stage 1 survey and is the point at which businesses begin to see and shape the emerging Business Plan for the next BID Term.

Dates for the Roadshow are below – (These Roadshows have now been delivered and this is just for information purposes only)

• Bromyard 28 April:
  • Day time Roadshow – 10 – 2 The Falcon Hotel, 4 Broad St, Bromyard, HR7 4BT
  • Business Meeting with the Bromyard Chamber of Commerce: 5:30pm – 7pm – The Falcon Hotel, 4 Broad St, Bromyard, HR7 4BT
• Hereford 29 April:
  • Day time Roadshow – 10 – 2 The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR
• Hereford 30 April:
  • 10 – 2 – (Herefordshire Means Business Expo) The Shell Store, Hereford HR2 6SR
• Ross on Wye 6 May:
  • Day time Roadshow – 10 – 2 Location The Kings Head Hotel, 8 High St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL
  • Business Meeting with the Ross Business Association: 6pm – 7pm Location The Kings Head Hotel, 8 High St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL
• Kington 7 May:
  • Day time Roadshow – 10 – 2 Burton Hotel, Mill Street, Kington, HR5 3BQ
  • Joint Chamber of Commerce and TIC Meeting: 6pm – 7pm Burton Hotel, Mill Street, Kington, HR5 3BQ
• Golden Valley 12 May:
  • Business Meeting with Golden Valley Traders: 6pm – 7pm The Hub St Peter’s Church, Church Road, Peterchurch, HR2 0RT
• Ledbury 13 May:
  • Day time Roadshow – 10 – 2 The Feathers Hotel, 25 High Street, Ledbury, HR8 1DS
  • Business Meeting with Ledbury Traders: 5:30pm start – The Old Grammar School, Ledbury
• Leominster 14 May:
  • Day time Roadshow – 10 – 2 – The Lion Ballroom, 17 Broad St, Leominster HR6 8DB
  • Business Meeting with Leominster Business Group: 5:30pm – 6:30pm – The Lion Ballroom, 17 Broad St, Leominster HR6 8DB

Why participate?

Your input will help shape high-impact marketing, business support, and sustainability initiatives over the next five years, ensuring your sector’s voice is heard in HCBID decision-making. You’ll guide our efforts to deliver real value for all HCBID members, from independent businesses to national chains. HCBID has delivered a huge amount since 2022, and in such a rapidly changing economic environment. We still have so much more to achieve, and with your support and by working together we can.

Data-Driven Planning

This developing vision for the new Business Plan reflects Levy Payer feedback and sets out how HCBID investment will support a connected, resilient and high-value visitor economy

The Information in this Section was relevant for Stage 1 Consultation only. It has been left here for information purposes only.

How you took part:

• Completed the survey online
• Or via the printed copies that were been sent to current Levy Payers. Send it to Address: Herefordshire County BID, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8YP
• The deadline for responses to be received was extended to 31 December 2025.

Downloadable HCBID Stage One Consultation Survey: