What GO! Southampton does

GO! Southampton is the Business Improvement District (BID) for Southampton City Centre, a business-led, not-for-profit organization funded through a mandatory levy on eligible city centre businesses. Established in 2016 via a ballot of local businesses, it commenced operations on 1 April 2017 for an initial five-year term and secured continuation for a second term (April 2022 – March 2027) with 92.2% approval by rateable value. The organization represents over 630 levy payers across retail, hospitality, financial services, education, legal, and leisure sectors and serves as the collective voice for these businesses in dealings with Southampton City Council and other public bodies.

Its core service portfolio is delivered through a small internal team of approximately 15 people supported by contracted partners, and includes city centre security (via ASEL and SWL Security under the Southampton Business Crime Partnership), street cleaning (in partnership with the council), an event sponsorship scheme offering Micro Grants up to £2,000 and Major Grants up to £6,000, marketing and digital screen promotion, a quarterly City Networking programme, a free jobs board for levy payers, and group procurement access through Place Support Partnership. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is operational rather than software-based.

GO! Southampton's revenue model is a mandatory subscription-style levy calculated at 1.56% of business rateable value (1.46% within specified shopping centres), with an 80% reduction for charitable organizations. The average annual levy available for the 2022–2027 term is £1,236,996, adjusted annually in line with the lower of RPI or CPI measured at September. The levy is collected by Southampton City Council on GO! Southampton's behalf for an annual fee of £22,000, and a 95% collection rate is assumed. During the prior term, the organization additionally secured over £1,000,000 in supplementary revenue and in-kind contributions.

Name

GO! Southampton

Legal name

GO! Southampton

Website

https://gosouthampton.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GO! Southampton is the not-for-profit Business Improvement District for Southampton City Centre, funded by a mandatory levy from 630+ local businesses. It delivers security, cleaning, marketing, events, and procurement services to levy payers across retail, hospitality, education, and professional services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Improvement District Services

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Grounds & Exterior Services (Landscaping/Snow Removal/Parking Lot Maintenance) (IMAIAAAF)

Keywords

• Business improvement district
• City centre management
• Place marketing
• Levy funded services
• High street regeneration

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. BID Levy: GO! Southampton's primary revenue stream is the mandatory BID levy charged to businesses with rateable values of £19,000 or more within the defined BID area. The levy rate is 1.56% of rateable value (1.46% for occupiers within Westquay, The Marlands, West Quay Retail Park, Mountbatten Retail Park and Studio 144). The average annual levy available is £1,236,996. From 2023 onwards, the rate is amended annually in line with inflation (lower of RPI or CPI measured at September).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GO! Southampton operates as the Business Improvement District (BID) for Southampton City Centre, delivering a portfolio of coordinated services funded by a mandatory levy from over 630 city centre businesses. Its services span safety and security (via ASEL and the Southampton Business Crime Partnership), street cleaning, event sponsorship and grants, marketing and promotion, business networking, crime reporting resources, and group procurement support to improve the city centre experience for businesses, residents, and visitors.

Product overview

GO! Southampton is a Business Improvement District (BID) organization that provides a portfolio of services to support businesses in Southampton City Centre. It is not a technology product company but rather a business-led, not-for-profit organization funded through a levy from businesses. The services include an Event Sponsorship Scheme (offering Micro Grants up to £2,000 and Major Grants up to £6,000), Security Services (provided through ASEL), Street Cleaning Services (in partnership with Southampton City Council), a Jobs Board for member businesses, quarterly City Networking Events, Marketing Services, Business Crime Resources (via SBCP), and BID Levy Collection. The organization represents over 630 BID levy payers and operates on a 5-year mandate (2022-2027) following a successful ballot.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Event Sponsorship Scheme Financial grant program offering Micro Grants (up to £2,000), Major Grants (up to £6,000), and Exceptional Circumstances Grants (up to £6,000) to support events within the BID area for levy payers and event organisers.
• Security Services City centre security team provided by third-party agency ASEL (with additional SWL Security), supporting businesses with shop theft and anti-social behaviour issues, working with Hampshire Constabulary and partner agencies to improve safety, including radio support, crime intelligence briefings, and dedicated city centre patrols.
• Street Cleaning Services Partnership with Southampton City Council delivering street cleaning, fly poster removal, and graffiti removal services across the city centre BID area, supplementing baseline council services.
• Jobs Board Free job listing platform for BID levy-paying businesses to advertise vacancies, covering sectors including retail, hospitality, finance, maritime, and professional services.
• City Networking Events Quarterly networking events bringing BID members and community groups together, featuring guest speakers and refreshments to facilitate business connections and community engagement.
• Marketing Services Marketing support and promotion services for BID members including digital screens throughout the city, social media channels (LinkedIn, Twitter), email bulletins, and the VisitSouthampton website.
• Business Crime Resources Resources and support through the Southampton Business Crime Partnership (SBCP) including security radio support, crime intelligence briefings, DISC crime reporting system, and safety training for businesses.
• BID Levy Collection Mandatory levy collected from non-domestic ratepayers with rateable value of £19,000 or more within the BID area, calculated at 1.56% of rateable value (1.46% for certain shopping centres, 80% reduction for charities excluding retail premises).
• Group Procurement Scheme Group procurement support through Place Support Partnership providing collective buying power for energy, water, telecoms and merchant commodities across over 100 Business Improvement Districts in the UK.

Quantifiable outcome

• £286,000 worth of stolen goods recovered since 2020 through SBCP
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southampton City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthampton City Council collects the BID levy on behalf of GO! Southampton for a fee of £22,000 per year. The council also provides baseline services that GO! Southampton supplements. Partners include the council's Welfare Wardens, Homeless Outreach Workers, and Trading Standards. GO! Southampton has an operating agreement with the council.
• Southampton Solent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO! Southampton signed Southampton Solent University's Civic Charter in May 2026, strengthening shared commitment to the city. Professor Cathy Barnes from the university serves on the GO! Southampton Board. The partnership supports student engagement and research collaboration.
• Southampton Destination PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO! Southampton works with Southampton Destination Partnership to showcase the city as a vibrant cultural destination. Partnership focuses on promoting events, tourism, and the city's cultural offerings.
• Art Asia TrustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerArt Asia Trust delivers the annual Southampton Mela Festival, which GO! Southampton sponsors. GO! Southampton has sponsored the Arts Bazaar and provides marketing support and venue activation for the festival, which is Arts Council England funded.
• SWL SecuritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSWL Security provides security team members who work daily to patrol the city centre and support businesses through the Southampton Business Crime Partnership. Team has recovered nearly £286,000 worth of stolen goods since 2020.
• ASEL SecuritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerASEL provides the GO! Southampton Security Team with experience in supporting all businesses and sectors within the BID. The friendly approach helps keep the city safe and contributes to Purple Flag accreditation.
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolice partnership through Southampton Business Crime Partnership includes dedicated City Centre Unit with Bevois and Bargate Units. Officers work alongside GO! Southampton security team. Partnership has resulted in 231 arrests in the past year.
• Hospitality Together Southampton GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO! Southampton backs the Hospitality Together campaign and VAT's The Problem campaign, working with local hospitality businesses to advocate for VAT reduction from 20% to 10%.
• Unity 101 Community RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerGO! Southampton partners with Unity 101 Community Radio to host quarterly City Networking events, bringing BID members and community groups together.
• Flo's Flea MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlo's Flea Market from Southampton Common's Old Chapel supports Carlton Place monthly markets, bringing their eclectic mix of second-hand clothes, jewellery and vintage pieces.
• Place Support PartnershipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRishi Sood from Place Support Partnership manages implementation of national buying group across over 100 Business Improvement Districts, providing expert advice on energy, water, telecoms and merchant commodities.
• Solent Business Growth ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Southampton City Council through Solent Business Growth Service to help local SMEs understand procurement processes and access opportunities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New West End Company: BID representing Bond Street, Oxford Street, and Regent Street in London. Same mandatory levy model, security patrol, cleaning, and destination-marketing mandate, serving a comparable retail/leisure constituency to GO! Southampton.
• Bristol City Centre BID: BID for Bristol city centre operating under the same UK statutory framework as GO! Southampton, providing security, cleansing, and marketing services to levy-paying city centre businesses.
• BID Sheffield: BID for Sheffield city centre delivering street cleaning, security, marketing, and events to levy-paying businesses. Directly comparable to GO! Southampton in scale, mandate, and service mix.
• Nottingham BID: Business Improvement District for Nottingham city centre. Identical UK BID structure with mandatory levy, security, cleaning, and business support services targeted at city centre retailers, hospitality, and leisure operators.
• Liverpool BID Company: BID covering Liverpool city centre, funded via mandatory levy with a 5-year ballot cycle. Delivers comparable services - security, cleaning, events, marketing - to a similar mix of retail, hospitality, and commercial businesses.
• Manchester BID: Business Improvement District covering Manchester city centre. Operates the same UK BID model with mandatory levy, security (CityCo), cleaning, and marketing services for city centre businesses.
• LeedsBID: BID for Leeds city centre funded through a mandatory levy on businesses over a rateable value threshold. Provides comparable security, cleansing, and marketing services to levy payers.
• Heart of London Business Alliance: One of the largest UK BIDs, representing businesses in the West End of London. Operates the same BID model as GO! Southampton with a mandatory levy, security, street cleaning, and place management services for a defined city centre area.

Emerging players

• Newcastle Gateshead Initiative: Place management and economic development body for Newcastle and Gateshead, similar in scope to a BID with destination marketing, events, and city centre experience services. Operates a comparable model to GO! Southampton but with broader geographic remit.

Regional players

• South Coast BID (Bournemouth): Regional BID on the south coast of England operating the same UK BID model with mandatory levy, security, and cleansing services. Comparable to GO! Southampton in coastal city centre operating context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Go_Southampton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/go-southampton

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GO! Southampton