Businesses to vote on new Business improvement District for Swindon

The borough council says the BID that could bring approximately £2.5m of additional investment into the town centre and surrounding areas.
The proposed BID would bring together businesses across the town centre, Old Town, the Railway Quarter and North Star, giving them a collective voice and the opportunity to invest in areas where they trade.
Led and funded by local businesses, a BID, the council says, would deliver improvements over and above existing public services. 
Proposals include a dedicated street team, further support to tackle anti-social behaviour, environmental improvements, and events and activities to attract more visitors into the town centre and Old Town.
Cllr Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said: “I’m really pleased the vote to establish a BID is now underway and I hope local businesses will back the proposal.
“The council will continue to play its part in improving the town centre and surrounding areas, it should be somewhere people are proud to visit, where businesses can thrive and where there are more reasons to keep coming back.
“Our emerging Council Plan puts ‘Proud of Swindon’ at the heart of that ambition. Getting the basics right – cleaner, safer, more welcoming streets – matters, but so does celebrating our culture and heritage and bringing more life into the heart of the town.
“Re-imagining the town centre is a priority for this administration. The council must play its part and deliver the services people expect, but we cannot achieve lasting change on our own.
“A BID would put local businesses at the heart of that work, giving them a stronger voice and dedicated funding for extra improvements, and events and activities that support our local economy.
“This is a real opportunity to build momentum and turn ambition into action. I hope eligible businesses will back the proposals and help make our town centre somewhere Swindon can be proud of.”
Over 330 BIDs operate successfully across the UK, including in Bath, Bristol, Reading, Winchester and Cheltenham, helping businesses work together to improve their local areas.
A BID does not replace services provided by the council, police or other organisations. Instead, it focuses on extra projects and activities that businesses want to see in their area.
If businesses vote in favour, the BID could raise more than £500,000 per year to support the four priorities set out in the Shadow BID Board’s business plan, which are:
- cleaner, greener and safer streets
- events and activities that bring more people into the area
- promoting Swindon as a place to shop, eat, work and spend time
- support for local businesses and employers
Laura James, Chair of the Shadow Swindon BID Board, said: “Swindon has enormous potential, but we need to be honest about the challenges facing our town centre and Old Town.
"Businesses have told us loud and clear that they want cleaner, safer streets, more people visiting and a stronger voice in shaping the future of the areas where they trade.
“This BID is about taking back control and putting businesses in the driving seat. It gives us the opportunity to stop simply talking about the improvements we need and start delivering them, with over £2.5m to invest over five years.
“We have a real opportunity to bring businesses together, rebuild confidence and make Swindon somewhere people are proud to visit, work and invest in. 
"I would encourage every eligible business to use its vote and help shape that future.”
Eligible businesses can cast their votes from 6 November until 3 December 2026. The Shadow BID Board will host a series of information events over the coming weeks to help businesses learn more about the proposals and the potential benefits of a BID.
 

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