BIDs are funded via a levy collected from businesses within the BID area, and those contributions are based on the Rateable Value of the premises they occupy.  In Sevenoaks the calculations had been made to create a fund to bring multiple benefits to the town, and the income needed to fund them.  However, the 2026 re-assessment of business Rateable Values and the new associated multipliers and reliefs has caused development of the Business Plan to pause.  While new rateable values can be seen individually online, as at the time of writing the overall rating list for Sevenoaks is awaited.  It will be necessary to review all 800+ Sevenoaks assessments in order to reassess the BID budget.

Once the BID budget has been re-cast and the Business Plan rewritten, the next step will be to put the proposal to a ballot of all the qualifying businesses in the town.  While Sevenoaks enjoys a very high occupancy rate of commercial premises, 2026 has seen some notable departures from town centre premises, not necessarily due to local trading conditions but usually due to national retailers changing their strategies.  But the result is concerning.  The job of a BID is to build economic vitality and hence the Steering Committee creating the Business Plan is keen to bring the BID to fruition and to start implementing new projects to make that happen – and keep the Sevenoaks thriving!

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At the Sevenoaks Business Show the BID ambassadors took the opportunity to bring the audience up to date with progress of the BID and its Business Plan.  The BID Ambassadors, Nicki Rundle of Thackray Williams and Jason Crow of the Better Body Group gave a rundown.  They were very keen to hear about schemes and projects from across the whole of Sevenoaks and all its various business types that would help those businesses develop through BID funding.  The opportunity is still there, so if you have suggestions that will help your business, your industry or the town as a whole then do get in touch.  Or even if you would like to find out more about BIDs and how they work we will be happy to meet up.  In the first instance email townteam@sevenoakstown.gov.uk

Work on developing the Sevenoaks BID is progressing with a Steering Group of volunteers in the process of creating the Business Plan. The Group is led by two champions, Nicki Rundle of Thackray Williams Solicitors and Jason Crow of The Better Body Group.

The BID proposal was launched in June 2024 and generally positive feedback has given encouragement to go to the next stage – the development of the Business Plan. The Business Plan will be developed by businesses for businesses, aimed at improving the business environment for all in these difficult times. This will include initiatives for digital promotion, sharing resources with the aim to reduce costs, branding for smaller shopping areas and improved security etc. It is on this document that a ballot of potential levy paying businesses will vote.

As Sevenoaks has a wide diversity of businesses and interest groups, the Steering Group has been drawn from businesses from all the geographical areas of the town and a good selection of business types with representation from both youth and senior organisations too.

The whole Town Team, including businesses, residents, voluntary groups and councillors, is delighted that the first round of the Sevenoaks Business Improvement District consultation has been completed.

Over the last four months it has tested whether there is support in principle from local businesses to create a Sevenoaks BID. Some objections were received, but many more were in favour. The majority of businesses registered wanted to see what a BID would deliver.

Now the next stage is to produce a Business Plan. The Team voted unanimously to do this, starting in January. Tony Clayton, Chair of the Town Team, said: “I am very encouraged that this is moving forward, as a BID can bring so many opportunities to enhance the town both for business and residents. “It will give local businesses a stronger voice in developing the town. This is the result of many conversations to build agreement on the important issues for Sevenoaks – but there are more people to ask. “Some BIDs concentrate on a town centre, an industrial area or tourism. In our case we are looking to help business succeed right across the Sevenoaks Town area.

“The first round of consultation produced a wide range of topics that businesses would like to see enhanced but there is an open door and we will welcome suggestions, from Sevenoaks business community, as well as those who work and live here.” For this next step, a volunteer Steering Group from all types of town businesses by geography and type, together with local interest groups, is being set up to develop the Plan. The Group will use suggestions put forward during the first consultation phase and make its own assessment of what will work for Sevenoaks enterprise, after looking at other successful town BIDs.

The Plan will identify actions which can best help local businesses grow, such as security improvements, making streets easier to walk, more events to raise footfall, support for new businesses, marketing Sevenoaks ‘offer’ to local residents, supporting training and recruitment.

The plan will be published and sent to all qualifying businesses – those with a rateable value over £15,000 except for schools, NHS buildings, charities and others before a ballot is held. If the answer is ‘Yes’ a non-profit company will be set up, led by businesses, to deliver the plan.

Businesses and residents are invited to send ideas to townteam@sevenoakstown.gov.uk

The 2024 Sevenoaks Business Show provided the perfect opportunity to launch the Sevenoaks BID consultation when Town Team Chair, Tony Clayton introduced the subject and Ben Collins of British BIDs provided the details.

It is important for all businesses in the BID area to be made aware of the BID proposal, so at the beginning of August, 773 explanatory letters with a brochure were sent to all Sevenoaks’ businesses.

Over the next few weeks there will be:

• a meeting with members of the Sevenoaks District Chamber of Commerce
• a series of social media posts and further notifications, with a reminder to complete the “Your Views” questionnaire on this site.