Blackpool Business Improvement Districts
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts is a not-for-profit membership organisation operating statutory Town Centre and Tourism BIDs in Blackpool, UK. It collects levies from 400+ local businesses to fund safety schemes, events, and the GO Blackpool mobile app.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBlackpool, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Blackpool Business Improvement Districts does
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) is a UK private limited company (registered in England & Wales) that operates two statutory Business Improvement District mandates — the Blackpool Town Centre BID and the Blackpool Tourism BID — on a not-for-profit basis. It functions as a member-funded collective through which more than 400 Blackpool town centre businesses and organisations pay an annual levy based on rateable value to fund services above the baseline provided by Blackpool Council. The first BID was established in October 2005, and the organisation has secured a further mandate through 31 March 2031 following a December 2025 renewal ballot that returned 87.8% support by number and 95% by rateable value.
The organisation's core product portfolio comprises safety schemes (Shopwatch connecting 60+ retailers via a dedicated police- and CCTV-linked radio network; Blackpool & Fylde Pubwatch with 180+ hospitality members), event initiatives such as the inaugural Blackpool Restaurant Week (March 2025, returning March 2026), and the GO Blackpool mobile application launched in July 2024, which has accumulated over 10,000 downloads and serves as a dual-sided digital hub for residents, visitors, and levy-paying businesses with geo-targeted notifications and themed interactive tours. Underlying technology is a consumer mobile app with location-based push messaging; no public API, SDK, or AI/ML capability is disclosed.
Revenue mechanics rely on a recurring BID levy (the new 2026-2031 term commits over £1.8 million), tiered Shopwatch subscriptions (£200-£500+VAT per year depending on business type), and external co-funding from partners such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the UK Government Getting Building Fund, and Historic England. The customer base is composed almost entirely of Blackpool-located SMBs in retail, hospitality, food and beverage, and tourism verticals, with the visitor economy (approximately 18 million annual visits to Blackpool) as the indirect beneficiary market.
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blackpool Business Improvement Districts
- Legal name
- Blackpool Business Improvement Districts Limited
- Website
- https://blackpoolbid.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Blackpool Business Improvement Districts is a not-for-profit membership organisation operating statutory Town Centre and Tourism BIDs in Blackpool, UK. It collects levies from 400+ local businesses to fund safety schemes, events, and the GO Blackpool mobile app.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Improvement District Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (56152), Tour Operators (561520)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Honeymoon & Romance Travel Agencies (THAKAFAC)
Keywords
Where Blackpool Business Improvement Districts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Blackpool
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- BID Levy: Local businesses within the defined BID area vote to invest together and pay an annual levy based on their rateable value. Since 2005, local businesses have invested over £4 million through this mechanism. The new term (2026-2031) will see over £1.8 million invested across safety, cleanliness, business support, digital innovation and promotional activity.
- Shopwatch Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for the Shopwatch scheme, which connects retailers via a dedicated radio network. Fees vary by business type: National businesses pay £500+VAT per year, Independents pay £290+VAT per year, and Charitable organisations pay £200+VAT per year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | National Retailers - Full Shopwatch membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Independent Retailers - Shopwatch membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Charitable Organisations - Shopwatch membership |
| Subscription | Annual | BID Levy - Town Centre Businesses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blackpool BIDs is a not-for-profit, member-funded partnership organization that collects an annual levy from over 400 town centre businesses and reinvests it into enhanced safety patrols, environmental cleaning, marketing, events, and digital services that go beyond Blackpool Council baseline provision. It also operates coordinated safety schemes (Shopwatch and Pubwatch) and the dual-purpose GO Blackpool mobile app connecting local businesses, residents, and approximately 18 million annual visitors.
Product overview
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts operates a portfolio of services for the town centre, with the GO Blackpool app as the primary digital product. The app provides a digital hub for locals, visitors and businesses featuring shopping deals, food/drink offers, local events, news, live transport updates and interactive tours. Supporting services include the Shopwatch scheme (retail safety network) and Blackpool & Fylde Pubwatch scheme (hospitality safety), plus the annual Blackpool Restaurant Week event. The BID also provides physical services including safety patrols, environmental improvements and seasonal displays for over 400 member businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GO Blackpool App: Official digital hub created by Blackpool BIDs to connect locals, visitors and businesses. Free app offering shopping deals, food and drink offers, local events, news, live transport updates and interactive guides.
Products and services
- GO Blackpool App Free mobile app serving as the official digital hub for Blackpool's BIDs, connecting locals, visitors and businesses with shopping deals, food and drink offers, local events, news, live transport updates and interactive guides.
- Shopwatch Scheme Retail safety initiative connecting over 60 retailers via a dedicated radio network, linking directly with police and town centre CCTV control room to reduce shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and enhance staff safety. Membership tiers: National businesses £500+VAT/year, Independents £290+VAT/year, Charitable organisations £200+VAT/year.
- Blackpool & Fylde Pubwatch Scheme Hospitality safety scheme with over 180 members working with police and council partners. Members share information and take joint action to ban individuals involved in violence or disorder, and receive conflict management training and coordinated safety campaign support.
- Blackpool Restaurant Week Annual food and drink celebration event showcasing Blackpool's dining scene with exclusive menus, tasting events and special deals across participating venues.
- Town Centre BID Services Business Improvement District services including safety patrols, environmental improvements, seasonal displays (including additional Christmas illumination), on-street security and cleaning services beyond council baseline levels, and events support for over 400 town centre businesses.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over £4 million invested in town improvements since 2005
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Blackpool Business Improvement Districts
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Blackpool CouncilcoreBlackpool Council is a key strategic partner in all BID activities. The council has provided consistent and constructive support in developing BID Business Plans for 2026 to 2031, including establishing Baseline Service Levels and an Operating Agreement for levy collection.
- VisitBlackpoolcoreBlackpool's official tourism company partnered on marketing campaigns and the Illuminations Switch-On event. The Tourism BID works with VisitBlackpool to promote Blackpool as a visitor destination.
- BBC Radio LancashiremajorBBC Radio Lancashire was announced as the official partner for the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On event, with breakfast presenter Graham Miller hosting the event.
- Little Blackpool LeisuremajorIndependent hospitality company that operates Abingdon Street Market. Focused on food, drink, and leisure experiences with commitment to regeneration, creating a destination celebrating local talent and global flavours.
- North & Western Lancashire Chamber of CommercecoreDelivery partner for the Retail Renaissance Programme, a fully funded initiative worth up to £3,000 per place designed to help retailers strengthen their customer offer, grow sales and build resilience.
- Customer LovecoreProgramme partner for the Retail Renaissance Programme alongside the Chamber of Commerce and Boost Lancashire's Business Growth Hub.
- Boost Lancashire's Business Growth HubcoreProgramme partner for the Retail Renaissance Programme, providing business growth support and expertise to Blackpool retailers.
- VINCI BuildingcoreConstruction partner for the new Ministry of Defence office at Talbot Gateway, delivering the 53,000 sq ft purpose-built office for Defence Business Services.
- Defence Infrastructure OrganisationcoreMOD body overseeing the delivery of the new office facility as part of the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, a £5.1 billion UK-wide investment in modernising defence infrastructure.
- Muse PlacescoreDevelopment partner for the £350 million Talbot Gateway regeneration, working alongside Blackpool Council and VINCI Building to deliver major infrastructure projects.
- Blackpool Council Protection TeamcoreJoint partnership operation tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Officers carried out high-visibility patrols focused on aggressive street drinking, ASB, and illegal e-bike use, resulting in 12 arrests and 6 Community Protection Warnings.
- Lancashire PolicecoreOngoing partnership with Neighbourhood Police and Task Force to tackle crime. Police support the Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes, providing intelligence sharing and coordinated response to incidents.
- Task ForcecoreJoint partnership with Blackpool Town Centre BID, Council's Protection Team, and Neighbourhood Police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour through high-visibility patrols.
- Blackpool Community Safety PartnershipcoreSupporting the Pubwatch scheme which is open to businesses such as takeaways and taxi firms, providing a coordinated approach to safety across the night-time economy.
- The Makers MarketmajorPartnership between Blackpool BIDs and Blackpool Council to bring the nationally acclaimed artisan event to St John's Square and later Winter Gardens, celebrating Lancashire's artists, bakers, and designers.
- Blackpool Tourism BIDcoreJoint delivery of Blackpool Restaurant Week and other tourism initiatives. The Tourism BID focuses on promoting the visitor economy while the Town Centre BID focuses on retail sector support.
- Blackpool and The Fylde CollegemajorEducational partner in Blackpool Restaurant Week, hosting pre-launch event at Level 6 training restaurant. Students prepared 'Best of British' menu and participated in pop-up kitchens and food demonstrations.
- Lytham FestivalmajorSponsor and partner of Blackpool Restaurant Week, contributing to the celebration of Blackpool's food and drink scene.
- AfterAthenamajorBusiness support partner offering 'Freemium' service to levy payers - instant access via app to hundreds of HR, employment, and health and safety resources that can be tailored to meet organisations' specific needs.
- Blackpool UnlimitedcorePartnership providing Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy (energy audits) and Blackpool Growth Business Academy (growth and scale-up specialists) along with FREE events and workshops for BID members.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Marketing Manchester: Manchester's destination marketing organization promoting the city to visitors and businesses, similar in tourism-promotion function to Blackpool BID's Tourism BID arm. Partial overlap in destination marketing mandate.
- Marketing Lancashire: County-level destination marketing organization for Lancashire, supporting tourism and business promotion in the broader region that includes Blackpool. Partial overlap in tourism marketing and event support.
Direct peers
- Birmingham City Centre BID: Major UK BID operating in Birmingham city centre, delivering marketing, events, and safety services funded through business levies. Closely comparable in structure, scale, and member engagement approach.
- Liverpool BID Company: Liverpool city centre BID providing safety, cleaning, and marketing services to member businesses via levy funding. Direct peer in the North West region operating the same Business Improvement District model.
- New West End Company: London's West End BID representing 600+ businesses, coordinating marketing, events, and safety services through a levy-funded model. Direct functional peer to Blackpool BID in delivering collective business improvement services.
- Manchester BID: One of the largest UK BIDs serving Manchester city centre businesses through collective levy-funded services including safety, marketing, and environmental improvements—directly comparable in model and mission to Blackpool BID.
- Sheffield BID: Sheffield city centre BID delivering collective services to member businesses through levy funding, with focus on safety, marketing, and town centre vibrancy—same model as Blackpool BID.
- Heart of London Business Alliance: Operates one of London's largest BIDs covering the West End, providing security, street cleaning, and marketing services to member businesses through compulsory levies—same BID model applied to a different town centre.
Others
- The BID Foundation: UK industry body representing Business Improvement Districts, providing training, advocacy, and best practice guidance. Industry association serving BIDs including Blackpool BID.
Regional players
- VisitBlackpool: Blackpool's official tourism company, sister organization to Blackpool BID, jointly delivering destination marketing campaigns and events including the Illuminations Switch-On. Closely allied in mission and geography.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts social profiles
Digital presenceBlackpool Business Improvement Districts compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blackpool Business Improvement Districts
What does Blackpool Business Improvement Districts do?
Blackpool BIDs is a not-for-profit, member-funded partnership organization that collects an annual levy from over 400 town centre businesses and reinvests it into enhanced safety patrols, environmental cleaning, marketing, events, and digital services that go beyond Blackpool Council baseline provision. It also operates coordinated safety schemes (Shopwatch and Pubwatch) and the dual-purpose GO Blackpool mobile app connecting local businesses, residents, and approximately 18 million annual visitors.
Is Blackpool Business Improvement Districts a public or private company?
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Blackpool Business Improvement Districts founded?
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Blackpool Business Improvement Districts based?
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts is headquartered in Blackpool, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Blackpool Business Improvement Districts make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. BID Levy is the primary driver. The others are shopwatch Membership Fees.
Who are Blackpool Business Improvement Districts's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Marketing Manchester and Marketing Lancashire. Direct peers are Birmingham City Centre BID, Liverpool BID Company, New West End Company, Manchester BID, Sheffield BID and Heart of London Business Alliance. The BID Foundation is listed as an others. VisitBlackpool is listed as a regional player.
Does Blackpool Business Improvement Districts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blackpool Business Improvement Districts.
What industry is Blackpool Business Improvement Districts in?
Blackpool Business Improvement Districts's product category is Business Improvement District Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKAFAC, Honeymoon & Romance Travel Agencies. Its NAICS code is 56152 and its SIC code is 7311.