Altrincham BID

Welcome to Altrincham’s Business Improvement District

Altrincham BID would like to extend a warm welcome to you as you join the town’s vibrant business community. The BID was developed to support the town’s footfall, increase dwell time, generate positive PR, and offer business support. The BID is excited to work with you as we shape the future of Altrincham together.

What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business funded organisation formed to contribute to the improvement of a defined geographical area.
BIDs were first established in Canada in the 1960’s and now exist across the globe.
In the UK, there are now over 350 operating BIDs, with many on their third and fourth terms.
BIDs provide additional or improved services over and above those provided by the Council and give local businesses the opportunity to influence the long-term economic development of the place where they operate.

What is Altrincham BID?

Altrincham BID, established in April 2016, provides additional or improved services above and beyond those provided by the local authority, to make Altrincham a better place to do business.
Altrincham BID is responsible for a programme of footfall-driving events, seasonal campaigns and year-round deep cleaning and greening.
The BID also manages business-related press enquiries, produces ‘Visit Altrincham’ and is the organisation that puts forward awards submissions – leading to successes such as the Great British High Street Award, Let’s Celebrate Towns and Visa Sustainability Award.
As a collective voice for the town’s businesses, the BID provides networking events and business training opportunities.
Altrincham BID works under four main headings, as defined in the BID Business Plan (available at www.altrinchambid.com). These include Creative Altrincham, Enhance Altrincham, Support Altrincham, and Promote Altrincham.
Creative Altrincham includes producing large scale events to attract footfall and consumer spend, including Altrincham’s Christmas Lights Switch on and Lantern Parade, and seasonal events such as Paint Altrincham Pink, RHS Windows, Easter and Halloween.
Enhance Altrincham includes making Altrincham a more attractive place to do business, with floral planters, deep cleaning, litter picking of unadopted highways and Place Support Partnership to save businesses money.
Support Altrincham includes groups and forums to support the businesses including Town Centre Management and Security Group and Business Active Travel Group. The BID also provides a lobbying function supporting the businesses to lobby the Council and Government on issues affecting them.
Promote Altrincham includes marketing via the website and all social media platforms. The BID run regular campaigns highlighting the businesses.
visitaltrincham.com is a dedicated visitor information platform for the town produced by the BID. BID businesses are profiled via their own individual listing, as well by business sector and geographical area.
altrinchambid.com is a separate but linked platform for Altrincham BID businesses to access information specific to them.
Visit Altrincham App is single, integrated platform bringing together residents, visitors and business
Social media – Facebook, Instagram & Tik Tok – @visitaltrincham
LinkedIn – @Altincham BID

What is the BID Levy?

The BID Levy is a mandatory charge on all eligible businesses in the BID area that have a business rateable value of £7,000 or above, based on the 2023 rateable values.
The BID Levy for 2026 – 2027 is calculated at 2% of business rates, meaning that annual payments range from £140 per year to around £6,000 per year.
Trafford Council collect the BID Levy on behalf of Altrincham BID. Levy bills are issued to the person responsible for the business rates, the current tenant, on the 1st April each year. Trafford Council are unable to offer refunds if a business vacates or sells a property during the financial year.

Is the BID part of the Council?

Altrincham BID is an independent company, run by and on behalf of the businesses
Altrincham BID have a baseline agreement with Trafford Council, meaning that BID activities can only go above and beyond statutory services delivered by Trafford Council. For example, Altrincham BID provides deep cleaning and chewing gum removal for areas of ‘adopted land’ which fall outside of Council Highway responsibility and outside of private land, to make sure the town centre is clean and tidy.

When does the BID end?

The current BID term ends on 31^st March 2031.
In July 2025 the levy paying businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of the BID for a further 5-year term. The new term will run from April 2026- March 2031.

Who is representing me?

The BID is governed by a Board who are made up of representatives from different business sectors, and geographical areas within the BID area. Board members would be happy to speak with you about BID and why they support it.