Blackpool businesses vote yes to renewing town centre and tourism bids

Blackpool’s Town Centre BID and Tourism BID have been voted in through their renewal and alteration ballots.

The outcome confirms continuing support from businesses across the resort and means both BIDs will operate through to 31 March 2031.

The Town Centre BID secured a strong mandate, with 87.8 percent voting in favour by number and 95 percent voting in favour by rateable value.

The Tourism BID received similar backing, with 85.4 percent in favour by number and 97 percent in favour by rateable value.

The result follows several months of consultation with levy payers, including meetings, workshops and the publication of the new Business Plans for 2026 to 2031.

Businesses were asked to vote on proposals aimed at maintaining a safer, cleaner town centre and supporting a more resilient, year round visitor economy.

Sue Grindrod, managing director of Blackpool BIDs, said: “We are grateful to every business that took the time to vote. The result gives us a clear mandate to deliver the priorities businesses have identified, including safety, cleanliness, digital innovation and continued partnership working across the town.”

Since 2021, the Town Centre BID and Tourism BID have together invested close to £2m across safety patrols, wardens, environmental improvements, digital innovation, events and destination marketing.

Jo Duff, chair of the Town Centre BID and store manager at Marks and Spencer, added: “The BID has supported the town through a period of considerable change. Renewal means we can continue our day to day work on safety and business support.”

Across the new term, more than £1.8m will be invested into the town centre and £1.6m into Blackpool’s visitor economy, supporting safety, cleanliness, business support, digital tools, events and destination marketing.

Kate Shane, chair of the Tourism BID and managing director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, said: “The renewal of the Tourism BID allows us to continue delivering activity that supports the tourism sector and encourages people to visit throughout the year.”

For more information, visit www.blackpoolbid.org/ or www.blackpooltourismbid.co.uk/