Chelmsford Business Improvement District (BID)

A Business Improvement District is a defined area where eligible businesses pay an addition fee, known as a levy, on top of their business rates. This money is then used to develop projects to benefit businesses in the BID area. Projects may include marketing and promotion, events and area management.

There is a BID in Chelmsford, which is managed by Chelmsford for You. We collect the levy on their behalf. The eligible businesses voted in a referendum for the BID to run for a second five-year term in 2022.

Businesses that have to pay

Businesses have to pay the extra charge if they:

• are within the BID area
• have a rateable value of £15,000 or more

Amounts

All liable businesses in the district pay:

• 1.492% of their rateable value, if they already paying a late-night levy, or
• 1.492% of the rateable value, if they are within the serviced areas of the city centre (High Chelmer, The Meadows or Bond Street), or
• 1.599% of their rateable value, if neither of the above apply

These figures increase annually by either 2%, or the CPI figure in December 2025 (whichever is the greater).

Businesses that receive charitable relief for their Business Rates will receive 80% relief from the BID levy.

More information

You can visit Chelmsford For You to find out more about them, their plans for the city centre and how you can get involved.