FAQs

What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area where businesses vote to invest collectively in local improvements in addition to those provided by the Local Authority and Police.

A BID is not a substitute for central or local government investment, but an additional investment to strengthen the local economy and give local businesses a unified voice, helping to provide an arena for businesses and local authorities to increase their understanding of each other’s priorities.

How long is the BID for?

The Essential Edinburgh BID has a fixed term of five years – running from April 2023 to March 2028. The renewal ballot for the fourth term is due by March 2028.

All eligible businesses will be consulted prior to the renewal ballot to establish the priorities for the businesses plan for the fourth term of the BID.

How is a BID funded?

All eligible businesses in the BID area pay a set levy. This money is used to pay for the services and improvements that the BID provides. A BID is also a mechanism for attracting funding from other sources, such as public sector bodies, depending on the projects involved.

How is the BID levy calculated?

For the five-year term, the levy will continue to be calculated at 1% of the rateable value of the property at the time of ballot (23rd March 2023). Any temporary rates relief granted will not be considered in the calculation of the levy.

Properties located within St James Quarter will be charged 0.4% levy for the duration of the BID term to reflect duplication of services provided.

Material changes in circumstance will not have any impact on the levy.

There is no VAT paid on the BID levy.

Who pays the BID levy?

All eligible non-domestic properties with a rateable valuation of £25,000 or more within the BID are liable for the full 1% levy for the duration of the five-year term; including properties of the local authority, other statutory agencies or non-statutory bodies and charities. 

Properties with a rateable value under £25,000, alongside Places of Worship, are exempt from the levy. However, they may become an ‘associate member’ if they wish.

Can businesses outside the BID area join?

Premises bordering the Essential Edinburgh BID boundary can apply to pay a voluntary levy and become an “associate member” should they wish.

To obtain further information on Associate Membership please contact info@essentialedinburgh.co.uk.

Why is the BID levy invoice from The City of Edinburgh Council?

The City of Edinburgh Council collects the levy on our behalf ensuring complete transparency, security of money collected and auditable collection procedures. The BID Revenue Account and levy can only be accessed by Essential Edinburgh.

How much time do I have to pay the BID levy invoice?

Payment must be made within 14 days from the date the levy invoice is issued and in one instalment.

Any non-payment of the levy will be strongly pursued and statutory powers will be enforced to ensure fairness to those levy payers that have paid.

Is there any levy relief for empty buildings?

There will be no levy relief for empty buildings. If the property is empty on the date of issue of the levy or at any time during the BID term, the property owner will be liable for the full levy amount until the property has a new occupier who will then be liable for the levy.

Will I get a levy rebate if I move out of the BID?

If the occupier vacates a property, rebates for the outstanding unoccupied period will be given.

If the Scottish Assessors revalue properties during the BID term, will my bills go up?

Should the Assessors revalue properties during the BID term, the levy will remain at the rate calculated on 23rd March 2023 (the day of ballot) until the BID term ends in 2028. 

Any additional rateable property formed/created, subdivided or merged during the lifetime of the BID will be liable to pay the levy e.g. new building developments, alterations to use, (church property becoming commercial) etc.

Is self-catering holiday accommodation exempt from the levy?

No, self-catering holiday accommodation which is not the sole or main residence of any person and which is available (or intended to be available) for letting on a commercial basis, with profit in mind, for short periods in the financial year and remain liable for non-domestic rates for the whole year will be subject to the levy.

Does Essential Edinburgh have a grievance procedure and whistleblower protection policy in place?

Essential Edinburgh is committed to operating with the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability. Our Grievance & Whistleblower Protection Policy outlines how staff and stakeholders may raise grievances, or report misconduct, and the procedures we follow to address these concerns. It also outlines our strict protections for whistleblowers and our zero-tolerance approach to retaliation.
Download the policy here.