Stage 2 Consultation Document

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.

HCBID’s Governance and Legal Framework

HCBID operates as a not-for-profit company with a defined geography and Levy Rules. Businesses within this area, and above a certain rateable value, are legally required to contribute to the HCBID Levy, which funds all HCBID activities. This is the information from HCBID Term one (https://www.herefordshirecountybid.co.uk/about-us/ ). BIDs run for 5 years, which means our current HCBID Term finishes at the end of December 2026. Over the next 12 months, we will be working with Levy Payers and partners to develop a Business Plan that will take Herefordshire’s Tourism Economy to the next level.

Proposed HCBID Levy Percentage for Term 2

HCBID is proposing a reduction in the BID Levy percentage from 2.0% to 1.75% of a Hereditament’s rateable value in the Second HCBID Term. This change responds to Levy Payer feedback and balances affordability with the continued delivery of high-quality, County-wide HCBID services and is possible because of the strong support
from the sector in the first term.

Proposed HCBID Levy Rules for Term 2

• The Second HCBID Term lasts for five years – 01 January 2027 until 31 December 2031
• BID Levy Calculation
  • No inflationary rate will be applied to the BID Levy during the Second BID Term.
  • VAT will not be charged on the BID Levy.
  • The BID Levy will be applied to all eligible business ratepayers within the defined sectors and geographical area.
  • The Levy to be paid by each Hereditament (rateable premise) will be calculated at 1.75% of its rateable value using the 2026 Non-Domestic Rating list throughout the BID’s Second Term.
  • Any change of use or physical change to a property including new construction; merger; subdivision; extensions or refurbishment where the Hereditament has no entry in the 2026 list will be levied at 1.75% of the prevailing list, even though the Levy Payer did not vote on the initial proposal.
  • The ratings list will be updated for any changes in ratepayer, appeals, additions or removals and liability will be adjusted accordingly.
  • There is no void property discount for properties classed as conservation listed, untenanted, empty or under refurbishment. Under these circumstances the registered business ratepayer will become liable for the BID Levy and will be entitled to vote at the Ballot.
  • The BID Levy will have to be paid by a new ratepayer occupying an existing or new rateable property within the BID area up until the end of the five-year Term on 31 December 2031, even if they did not vote in the BID Ballot.
  • If a business ratepayer occupies a business for less than one year, the amount of BID Levy payable will be calculated on the number of days they occupy the property as a proportion of 365 day year.
  • Hereditaments that are let for non-commercial use are also liable for the Levy whilst they remain listed on the Non-Domestic Rating list.
  • Properties being demolished will be liable for the BID Levy until the property is removed from the Non Domestic Rating list.
  • The BID Levy will not be affected by the Government’s Small Business Rates Relief Schemes, service charges paid to landlords, exemptions, relief or discounts prescribed in the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989 made under the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
• Ballot Entitlement
  • Only the registered business ratepayer occupying a property with a ratable value of £12,000 and over and that falls within the specified sectors and rules will receive a vote.
  • Votes are based on rateable value at Ballot notice date.
  • One vote will be given per Hereditament.
• The following exemptions apply to BID Levy:
  • Those with a rateable value of £11,999 or less will be exempt from paying the BID Levy and will not receive a BID Ballot vote.
  • Food Supermarkets / Food Superstores with a rateable value of £100,000 or above will be exempt from paying the BID Levy and will not receive a BID Ballot vote.
  • Businesses whose VOA’s standard sector description does not fall into the sectors identified will be exempt from paying the BID Levy and will not receive a BID Ballot vote.
  • Entirely voluntary (not-for-profit, primarily for community, charitable, social, cultural or mutual benefit and is run wholly or mainly by volunteers) will be exempt from paying the BID Levy and will not receive a BID Ballot vote.
  • Charitable exemptions
    • Non-retail charities (Definition – A non-retail charity is a charitable organisation whose primary purpose is not the sale of goods or services to the public. The premises are used wholly or mainly for delivering charitable activities directly, such as community services, education, advice, support, worship, or administration, rather than operating as a shop or other retail outlet.)
    • Charities with a trading income of £11,999 or less (Definition – Trading income for a retail charity is income generated through the sale of goods to the public, typically via a charity shop, where the activity involves trading in a commercial manner, even though the profits are applied solely to the charity’s charitable purposes.)
    • Charities with less than 2 full time equivalent paid staff.
• Collection
  • Under BID regulations, the BID Levy will be collected annually on the 1 April each financial year.
  • Collection arrangements will be formalised in an Operating Agreement signed by both the HCBID and Herefordshire Council.
  • Under the BID regulations 2004, Herefordshire Council or their appointed representative is the only organisation that can collect the BID Levy on behalf of the HCBID. The fees for this service will be paid for by the BID.
  • The Levy income will be kept in a separate ring-fenced account and transferred to the HCBID on a monthly basis.
  • Collection of the HCBID Levy carries the same collection process and enforcement weight as collection of the Non-Domestic Rating.
• The HCBID Board of Directors are responsible for writing off any debts.
• The HCBID Boundary and Levy Rate cannot be altered without an Alteration Ballot.
• The HCBID Board may vary projects, costs and timescales providing the changes fall within the income and overall objectives of the BID.

The Developing Vision for the New HCBID Business Plan 2027-2031

Herefordshire’s success as a destination depends on visitors moving fluidly between villages, market towns, city of Hereford and rural landscapes, rather than experiencing them in isolation. Agricultural tourism (agri-tourism) provides the golden thread that weaves through all the themes, campaigns and projects that gives Herefordshire’s tourism economy a unique selling point.

In the context of Herefordshire, agri-tourism refers to unique visitor experiences, products and marketing inspired by our rural way of life. It connects the County’s rural heart with its villages, Market Towns and Hereford, creating a joined-up visitor economy where rural businesses sit alongside cafés, pubs, shops, accommodation and cultural & heritage events as part of a single, coherent offer. In doing so, it helps ensure tourism benefits Herefordshire as a whole, rather than concentrating activity in isolated hotspots.

Agri-tourism is strategically important for Herefordshire not simply because the County is rural, but because it:

• Aligns agriculture, tourism and place-making, rather than treating them as separate agendas
• Strengthens the Market Towns and Hereford by driving visitor movement, dwell time and spend
• Supports rural resilience, keeping businesses viable while enhancing the visitor offer
• Underpins the County’s distinctive brand, rooted in food, orchards & vineyards, landscape, heritage and authenticity
• Encourages year-round, lower-impact tourism aligned with regeneration and sustainability priorities

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

Theme Development

A) Attracting Visitors and New Audiences:

Purpose: To increase the number, diversity and quality of visitors to Herefordshire using our rural unique selling point as a compelling reason to visit, encouraging longer stays and movement between rural landscapes, villages, Market Towns and the historic riverside city of Hereford.

G) Growth for Local Businesses and Producers:

Purpose: To ensure tourism directly supports, local producers, rural diversification and town-based businesses, increasing resilience, skills and local economic impact.

R) Rural Life as an Economic Engine for Tourism:

Purpose: To position rural Herefordshire as a productive, investable and visit-worthy part of the economy, activating working landscapes while strengthening links to villages, Market Towns, and the historic riverside city of Hereford.

I) Investment in Tourism:

Purpose: To provide the infrastructure, partnerships and enabling investment needed to deliver high-quality tourism experiences and long-term growth across the
County.

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 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.

BID Ballot 2026 Process Explained

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:

1. 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.
2. 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)
3. 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.
4. Voting Period
   • Each eligible Hereditament liable for a BID Levy gets one vote.
   • Voting is by postal ballot and will last 29 days.
5. 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.
6. Implementation / Reballot – 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.
7. 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)

HCBID Ballot Timeline

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

Stage 1 Consultation details – This stage has finished this information is now only 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: