Exeter’s Business Improvement District Reapproved

The Business Improvement District (BID) in Exeter has received reapproval from the city’s business leaders, extending its operation for an additional five years. Operating as InExeter, this not-for-profit entity receives £2.8 million in funding from over 650 businesses, contributed via a proportional levy. Annually, the organization is allocated approximately £600,000 to finance initiatives such as Christmas lights, enhanced street cleaning, floral arrangements, and efforts to mitigate anti-social behavior within the city center. In the recent ballot, 334 businesses cast their votes, with 90% endorsing the organization’s renewal. Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter, expressed her organization’s delight at the prospect of contributing to the continued vibrancy of the city center in 2025. She stated, “This is about businesses saying ‘we care about the city of Exeter, we want to see it continue to improve’.” Wheeler also noted that the levy is “a proportional amount based on the rateable value.” She added that “Small businesses will be paying quite considerably less than larger businesses and our job is to make sure that we deliver value for every single one of the 670 businesses that we represent.”