Our BID Area
Milton Keynes is a new city, the largest settlement in Buckinghamshire, with a resident population of nearly 300,000. We officially took on city status in May 2022, as part of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Our City Centre is the beating heart of Milton Keynes. We’re a top ten UK destination for retail. Our leisure options range from indoor skiing and sky diving to a top-class theatre, art gallery and ice rink, and we have a 4000-capacity concert and entertainment venue coming soon. We are the headquarters location for major employers such as Santander, Network Rail, and DHL Supply Chain. Around 40,000 people work in our offices, shops, restaurants and leisure sector, but we’re also a place people are choosing to live, as we’re home to 4700 residential properties, and major residential developments are underway across the City Centre.
What is a BID?
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A Business Improvement District – or BID – is a way for local businesses to work together to tackle issues that affect their trading environment. Over 330 BIDs operate in the UK to deliver projects or services, identified by the local businesses, to enhance the performance of businesses in the district. This could include extra marketing, safety, cleaning or environmental measures. BIDs are business-led organisations, funded by a mandatory levy, added to the business rate, on all eligible businesses after a successful ballot.
June 2017
June 2022
September 2023
May 2024
Founded by Melanie Beck, MyMiltonKeynes began trading for our first five year term.
The BID was renewed for a second term on following a ballot of which 95% of respondents by number voted YES and 97% of respondents by rateable value voted YES.
Melanie retired as CEO and Jill Farnsworth was appointed.
Our refreshed Business Plan 2024-2027, against which we now deliver for was launched.
Am I a Milton Keynes BID Business?
Any person or organisation liable to pay the non-domestic rates for a property within the BID area, with a rateable value of £50,000 or more, is liable to pay the BID levy, with the exception of registered charities that qualify for rates relief. The BID levy charging mechanism is simple and fair: the levy is charged at 1.25% of the Rateable Value of each eligible business on 1 June each year (plus 3% inflation each year from 2023). Retailers that pay a service charge to centre:mk, Midsummer Place, The Hub, 12th Street and Xscape are charged at the lower rate of 1% (same inflationary provisions apply). Businesses not part of the BID may request to join the BID as a voluntary member.