Background
The BID company
Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID Limited (Companies House 07846722), trading as Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID. A not-for-profit company that has run the town-centre Business Improvement District for about 15 years. The current term runs to the end of 2026.
How it is funded
A compulsory levy on business ratepayers in the BID area, collected by Birmingham City Council. It raises about £240,000 a year, roughly £1.2 million over a five-year term. Once a ballot passes, every eligible business must pay for the full term, however it voted.
The 2026 ballot
A ballot on a new five-year term (2027–2031) opened on 3 November 2026 and closes at 5pm on 3 December 2026. The result is due by 7 December. It is administrated by Civica Election Services for the Council. To pass, the proposal needs a majority both by number of votes cast and by total rateable value of those votes.
New proposed levy rate
The levy rate rises from 1.53% to 1.80% of rateable value, an increase of about 18%. The maximum charge per property rises from £4,170 to £7,500.
Gracechurch's position
Gracechurch Shopping Centre is one of the BID's largest contributors, and intends to vote against the new ballot proposal. It has explained why in open letters to levy payers. It says it is not against businesses working together, including through a redesigned BID, but does not back the new proposal.
If you would like to be put in contact with fellow businesses against the Sutton Coldfield BID then contact us.
Main Concerns
Higher cost
The levy rate and the cap both go up with no real justification.
no evidence of results
The new plan lists activities but says very little about whether the 2022–2027 plan's objectives were met.
No published income and expenditure
The filed accounts are balance sheets only. In each year the directors chose, under section 444(1) of the Companies Act 2006, not to file the income and expenditure account. Levy payers therefore cannot see from the public record what was spent, or on what. Gracechurch has publicly asked the BID to publish a full breakdown, including management and staffing costs.
Falling reserves, not explained
Net assets fell from £217,877 (March 2022) to £58,887 (March 2025), down about 73%. Cash fell from £267,796 to £83,685 over the same period.
Town-centre outcomes
The BID's own June 2025 audit records 18% vacancy (62 of 337 premises), above the national average. For balance: the audit puts part of this down to sites earmarked for redevelopment, including Gracechurch.
Who benefits
Most major events are on the Parade and are run by a private operator. Businesses elsewhere, such as on Birmingham Road and the High Street, see less benefit. On a BID market day in September 2026, stalls blocked the entrance to the M&S unit and obstructed access to Greggs and Boots in the centre.
Open letter to levy payers from Gracechurch summarising bid concerns (oCT 2026)
BID PUBLIC STATEMENT RESPONSE (31 OCT 2026)
GRACECHURCH SECOND STATEMENT (3 nov 2026)
BID organised market stalls at Gracechurch shop fronts - WHAT A ‘GREAT IDEA’ to kill trade for levy payers ?!!
On the day, the stalls caused access problems for shops in the centre. The entrance to the M&S unit was completely blocked by tents and stalls. Greggs and Boots were also affected, and several customers asked where the entrances were.
Visit the UK’s leading Facebook Group to see for yourself the devastation BIDs inflict on our town and city business communities. Tell us about your experiences, and seek support and advice from others that have successfully fought off BIDs.
Click on image below to visit the group.
This is the campaign webpage for those against the Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District.
We are grateful to those behind the Against BID website for their expert guidance and hosting this page.
We will continually update this page, so please check back regularly, and in the meantime why not take a look around this Against BID website.