Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to launch its 2027-2032 Business Plan, setting out its aims and ambitions for the next five years.

The Business Plan has been developed through consultation with local businesses and covers the projects that Newbury BID aims to deliver on behalf of the local business community through a ring-fenced investment of over £1.6 million, all of which will directly impact and benefit Newbury town centre.

Newbury BID was founded in 2012 and is currently in the final year of its third term. The organisation operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, run by a small team and governed by a Board of volunteer directors – all of whom work within the local business community and give up their time for free.

Business Improvement Districts are funded by a levy paid by all eligible businesses within the BID area, and BIDs must hold a ballot process ahead every 5 years to give levy-paying businesses the opportunity to vote the BID in for a new 5 year term.

Over the last 5 years, the Newbury BID team is immensely proud to have delivered a range of projects that have supported and enhanced the economic vitality of Newbury town centre.

These include organising some of Newbury’s largest free to attend events, including Krazy Races, the Italian Auto Moto Festival, the annual Christmas Lights Switch On, monthly Artisan Markets and quarterly Antique & Vintage Street Markets. All of these events are designed to offer something unique to Newbury’s local events calendar and enhance the visitor experience, encouraging visitors into the town centre and right to the doorstep of BID businesses.

Newbury BID also operates the Visit Newbury brand, one of the largest local, freely accessible platforms that champions the town and highlights upcoming events, local attractions and the latest business news, updates and offers. It also organises the annual Christmas lighting throughout the town centre along with the Christmas Tree in Market Place, and played a key role in bringing Paddington to Newbury to celebrate the town’s heritage as the birthplace of Michael Bond OBE.

For additional business support, Newbury BID employs a full-time BID Ambassador to support local retailers with issues ranging from shoplifting to antisocial behaviour, funds crime and information sharing tools, subsidises the Town Centre Radio scheme, and is a key partner in managing the Newbury town centre CCTV system.

Key priorities for Newbury BID in the new term will be increasing the BID Ambassor cover to 7 days a week, continuing to run large-scale free-to-attend events, bringing back smaller trails to support footfall into businesses, running targeted marketing campaigns to reach new visitors both nationally and internationally, and leading on a new Shopwatch scheme to further support local retailers.

Ian Batho, owner of Cow & Cask micropub and Chair of Newbury BID, says: “As we come to the end of Newbury BID’s third term, this new Business Plan is a chance for us to reflect on all of the fantastic work Newbury BID has delivered over the last 5 years, and to look ahead to the new term where the current BID team will continue to improve on the great work the organisation has achieved for Newbury.

From some of the town’s biggest-ever events, including the annual Christmas Lights Switch On weekends and Newbury’s very first Soapbox Derby, to many more popular events like the Artisan Market, Antique & Vintage market and the Italian Auto Moto Festival, Newbury BID has certainly delivered on its remit of encouraging people into the town centre.

Within the last year Newbury BID has also brought in the BID Ambassador scheme to help deter retail crime and anti-social behaviour. This has been so positively received by the local business community. In a new term we are looking to expand this cover to 7 days a week, to further support local businesses.

It is hard to imagine our town continuing to thrive as it does without Newbury BID acting as the voice for local businesses, and promoting the town through its Visit Newbury brand.”

Richard Farley, Newbury BID Manager, adds: “2027-2032 will be Newbury BID’s fourth term and it has grown from strength to strength. We want to continue this brilliant work and make it even better for everyone. Whether you are a small family business, National brand, professional service, local resident or visitor, we want Newbury to be the place to live, visit and work.”

The ballot will take place as a four-week postal vote, running from 11th September 2026 to 8th October 2026.

You can read the full 2027-2032 Business Plan and find full details on the ballot process and timeline at visitnewbury.org.uk/about/bid-ballot.