Businesses across Swindon are being asked to have their say on plans that could see more than £2.5 million invested in improving the town centre, Old Town and surrounding commercial areas over the next five years.
A ballot is now open on proposals to establish a new Business Improvement District (BID), which would give local businesses greater influence over how their trading areas are managed, promoted and improved.
The proposed district would cover Swindon town centre, Old Town, the Railway Quarter and North Star, bringing businesses from all four areas together under one organisation.
If approved, the scheme could generate more than £500,000 annually to fund additional services and projects, with a particular focus on making Swindon’s commercial areas cleaner, safer and more attractive to visitors.
What would the new BID mean for Swindon?
A Business Improvement District is a business-led organisation that raises money through a levy on eligible businesses within a defined area.
That money is then used to provide improvements and services beyond those already delivered by the local council and other public organisations.
For Swindon, the proposals include a dedicated street team, additional measures to address anti-social behaviour, environmental improvements and more events designed to encourage people to visit local shops, restaurants and other businesses.
The Shadow Swindon BID Board has identified four main priorities for the proposed five-year programme:
Cleaner, greener and safer streets, including improvements to the appearance and management of public spaces.
More events and activities to attract visitors and encourage people to spend more time in Swindon’s commercial areas.
Better promotion of Swindon as a destination for shopping, eating, working and leisure.
Greater support for businesses, helping local employers work together and have a stronger say in decisions affecting their trading environment.
There are already more than 330 Business Improvement Districts operating across the UK, including schemes in Bath, Bristol, Reading, Winchester and Cheltenham.
The proposed Swindon BID would not take over the responsibilities of Swindon Borough Council or Wiltshire Police. Instead, it would provide additional services funded by the businesses involved.
Council backs proposals for town centre improvements
Councillor Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, has welcomed the ballot and is encouraging businesses to support the plans.
He said: “The Council will continue to play its part in improving the town centre and surrounding areas, it should be somewhere people are proud to visit, where businesses can thrive and where there are more reasons to keep coming back.”
The council has made the regeneration of Swindon town centre one of its priorities, with the proposed BID seen as another way of bringing businesses into discussions about the area’s future.
Councillor Vallender acknowledged that improvements to cleanliness, safety and the overall appearance of the town must remain a priority, alongside efforts to attract visitors and support the local economy.
He added: “A BID would put local businesses at the heart of that work, giving them a stronger voice and dedicated funding for extra improvements, and events and activities that support our local economy.”
Businesses urged to take control of their future
Laura James, Chair of the Shadow Swindon BID Board, believes the proposals could provide a much-needed opportunity to address concerns that have been raised by businesses across the town.
She said: “Swindon has enormous potential, but we need to be honest about the challenges facing our town centre and Old Town.”
According to the Shadow BID Board, businesses have consistently raised concerns about street cleanliness, safety, visitor numbers and the need for a greater say in decisions affecting their areas.
Laura added: “This BID is about taking back control and putting businesses in the driving seat. It gives us the opportunity to stop simply talking about the improvements we need and start delivering them, with over £2.5m to invest over five years.”
The proposals come as Swindon continues to face questions about the future of its town centre, including how to encourage more visitors, support independent traders and make commercial areas more appealing.
While the additional investment could provide new opportunities, the decision ultimately rests with the businesses that would be expected to fund the scheme.
When can businesses vote?
Eligible businesses have until Thursday 3 December 2026 to cast their votes, with the ballot having opened on Friday 6 November.
The Shadow BID Board is also arranging a series of information events during the voting period, giving businesses the chance to ask questions and find out more about the proposed programme.
If the ballot is successful, the BID would introduce a new source of funding for improvements across Swindon’s main commercial areas.
For businesses in the town centre, Old Town, the Railway Quarter and North Star, the coming weeks will provide an opportunity to decide whether they want to take a collective approach to shaping the future of the places where they trade.
