Barrow businesses overwhelmingly back the continuation of Barrow BID

Businesses in Barrow town centre have voted yes to renewing the town’s Business Improvement District for a third term. 

A massive 86.8% of businesses voted in favour of renewing Barrow BID for the next term, and 87.4% in favour by rateable value. This hugely successful result means that Barrow BID will continue, with the third term running from September 2026 - August 2031, delivering a wide variety of events and initiatives to improve Barrow town centre and attract visitors and shoppers to the area. 

Established in 2016, Barrow BID works on behalf of shops, restaurants, service businesses and all other businesses with a rateable value of over £4,000 within the BID area. For the third term, the BID levy area has been expanded to include key Barrow landmarks such as Barrow Park, enabling the BID to provide greater support to businesses as they host events and adapt to the town centre's evolving landscape. 

Barrow BID is a not-for-profit organisation, with eligible businesses paying in 1.55% of their rateable value as a levy, which is used to fund business support, events, initiatives and smaller projects to improve the town centre - such as the hanging basket scheme. The team works to secure additional funding via grants, sponsorship and other funding sources to give levy payers an even greater value for money. In 2025, 74% of the BID’s income was generated from additional sources - for every £1 collected through the BID levy, we generated £3.89 in total income, thanks to additional funding from sponsorships and grants. 

Following this successful ballot, Barrow BID will continue to support town centre businesses and the wider community, helping the town centre be fit for the future. 

Paul Hodgson, BID Manager, said: 

"We're absolutely delighted that Barrow town centre businesses have voted so overwhelmingly in favour of a third term for Barrow BID, with an incredible 86.8% supporting our continued work over the next five years. This result is a clear vote of confidence in what we've achieved together and, more importantly, in what we can continue to accomplish as a united business community.

A strong, connected business community is essential to creating a vibrant, welcoming and prosperous town centre. By working collaboratively, supporting one another and investing collectively, we can continue to drive positive change, attract more visitors and create opportunities for businesses to thrive.

I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated Barrow BID team. Although we're a small team, their passion, commitment and hard work have made a significant difference to our town centre and the businesses we represent. I also want to thank our volunteer Board of Directors, who generously give their time and expertise while representing the diverse sectors that make up our business community. Their guidance and support have been invaluable in helping shape the BID's success.

Finally, I'd like to thank every business that took the time to vote and for placing their trust in Barrow BID. We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved together so far, and we're excited to continue working in partnership to build an even stronger, more resilient and more successful town centre over the next five years."