A BID (Business Improvement District) is a geographical area in which local businesses have voted to invest collectively to improve the environment for commercial activity. An organisation – such as angel.london – is then formed to deliver these improvements, answerable to a board of local business people.

Those services are identified and requested by those member businesses, who pay a levy to fund them. They are additional to those already provided by the police and local authority. Services may include extra safety, cleaning, environmental improvements, or member benefits.

Every five years, members vote to continue the BID for another five years. The BID at the Angel was established in 2007, voted in again in 2011 and 2016.

angel.london is the organisation that runs the Business Improvement District in the Angel. Covering 45 streets and representing over 600 businesses, our mission is to create a sense of place to encourage inward investment and attract business. Our thriving town centre offers commercial advantage for business owners and occupiers and an enjoyable and secure place to work, live and visit.

In 2007 businesses in the Angel voted overwhelmingly to set up a BID to improve the trading environment. The ideas were simple – making it safer, cleaner and brighter. In 2011 they voted for us to continue with our work, and in 2016 they again voted resoundingly for us to continue.

BID LEVY PAYMENTS FOR 2020/21 IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

angel.london understands the problems facing our businesses as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and will, at the discretion of the board, apply the following rules for 2020/21:

For businesses which have continued trading for the duration of the coronavirus crisis –  the 1% of the Rateable Value (RV) levy rate will apply as before and bills will be issued. These businesses will be able to access immediately the full range of services the BID offers.

For businesses with a rateable value of £86,000 or above which were forced to close for part or all of the lockdown period – levy bills for six months only at 1% of the RV will be issued in September. These businesses too will be able to access the full range of BID services immediately at this rate.

For businesses with a rateable value below £86,000, and which have been forced to close for all or part of the lockdown period – no levy bills will be issued during the current year. If, however, any business in this category wishes to access our recycling service, they will be asked to pay a contribution of half the 1% of their RV and will, additionally, be encouraged to have a waste contract with Islington Council Waste Services to reduce carbon emissions.

The liability for the BID levy falls on the person who pays the business rates. Landlords of empty properties are liable, as are any new business ratepayers coming into the area during the term of the BID.