We are thrilled that so many business and organisations value the work Kingston First Business Improvement District (BID) undertakes. Voted for, supported by and working with local businesses, Kingston First is a not-for-profit company with a passionate team, governed by local volunteers from the surrounding business community, with the sole purpose of improving our local area as a place to work, visit and live.

Council budgets are under pressure, who will ensure Kingston Town Centre gets the baseline services it needs, and continues to be a vibrant town? Can you imagine a Kingston with:

❌  No advertising for your business
❌  No Christmas lights, market, or marketing campaigns
❌  No Keep It Kingston app
❌  No hanging baskets or planters maintained
❌  No deep cleaning or business graffiti removal
❌  No free training for you and your employees
❌  No cost saving support
❌  No additional funding for improving the public realm
❌  No free recycling or waste discounts
❌  No business representation to council or police
❌  No public art or event screens
❌  No visitor or town centre performance insights
❌  No town centre newsletter
❌  No business networking events
❌  No marketing for Kingston Town Centre

Kingston First’s ambition is to continue its work to improve and serve the town centre. To do this, like all other BIDs in England, it must be successful at a renewal ballot which will ask businesses to vote on whether they wish Kingston First to continue.

The Kingston First BID Renewal ballot will be a postal ballot carried out by Civica on behalf of Kingston Council. All businesses eligible to pay the BID levy will have a vote for each unit they pay business rates on (hereditament). Businesses occupying more than one hereditament within the area will therefore be entitled to more than one vote.