ERBID 3: Looking Ahead (2027-31)

About ERBID3

BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) operate in five-year terms and must be renewed through a formal ballot of businesses.  The current second term BID will conclude on 31st December 2026.

The English Riviera BID Company is proposing a new ballot to secure a third five-year term (ERBID3) to begin in January 2027. 

This page will be updated with further information and plans as we progress towards the ERBID3 ballot date. Please check back regularly for the latest updates.
 

ERBID3 Consultation Document

This document is the first step in the consultation process which aims to shape the final ERBID3 Business Plan, helping define the future of destination marketing in the English Riviera from 2027 to 2031.  The feedback of levy-paying businesses will directly influence the content of the Final Business Plan, which will be circulated in spring 2026, ahead of the ballot in summer 2026.

To view the ERBID3 Consultation Document, please click on the image below to turn the pages of the flipbook, or download it as a pdf from here.

Next steps - Your voice matters: Autumn Consultation Sessions

We will be running a series of informal consultation sessions for BID levy-payers, across the Bay, from October and throughout the autumn of 2025.  Based on your feedback from the consultation sessions, we will develop a Final Business Plan.  This will be shared with all eligible levy-payers ahead of a confidential postal ballot in summer 2026. 

Venues, dates and times

If you are a levy-paying business and have previously shared your email address with us, then we will contact you with details of the consultation sessions.  If you believe we may not have your email address, please send us an email with your details to enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk.  The details of the consultation sessions will also be published on this page later in September.

All eligible business representatives are invited to attend a consultation to review and discuss the proposals and to share feedback.

THE FUTURE OF OUR DESTINATION: A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

"First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports our wonderful destination in so many ways, and to all those who champion the work of the English Riviera BID (ERBID).  Without your dedication, everything we have achieved simply wouldn't have been possible.

The ERBID3 Consultation Document outlines the progress we've made together over the past five years and sets out our bold ambitions for the next chapter - ERBID3.  But before moving forward, we want to hear from you.  Your views on what's been accomplished so far and your ideas for the future are vital.

I'm inviting you to take part in this important consultation, as we work to secure £3.5 million of investment in destination marketing for a further five-year term.  This funding would enable us to continue delivering key initiatives including national advertising through the proven Business Improvement District (BID) model.

As you may know, BIDs operate in five-year terms and must be renewed through a formal ballot of businesses.  The current BID term (ERBID2) will conclude on 31st December 2026.  With that in mind, the English Riviera BID Company, as the managing body, is now preparing for a new ballot to secure a third five-year term - ERBID3 - beginning in January 2027.

Thanks to your support, ERBID2 has delivered fantastic results, investing over £2.5 million in professionally coordinated destination marketing across the Bay.  In addition, we secured £1.2 million in funding from South West Water - one of the largest supplementary contributions ever achieved by a BID.  This enabled us to launch a major national TV advertising campaign that is already producing results.

Looking ahead, it's important to be clear: without a third term, funding for vital activities - including national marketing campaigns, event sponsorships, media and PR initiatves, the official visitor website, and year-round Visitor Informatioon Service - would cease entirely.  There is no replacement funding for destination marketing from Torbay Council. 

That's why your voice matters now more than ever.  Our proposals include an increase to the levy for ERBID3, in order to continue with key marketing activities including high-profile national advertising.

We will be running a series of consultation sessions throughout the autumn.  Based on your feedback from the consultation sessions, we will develop a Final Business Plan.  This will be shared with all eligible levy-payers ahead of a confidential postal ballot in summer 2026.  For ERBID3 to proceed, the ballot must secure a majority both in terms of the number of businesses voting and the total rateable value they represent.

There is a great deal at stake.  If the ballot is unsuccessful, the ERBID will come to an end, and all funded activities, events, national advertising, projects and services will stop from 1st January 2027.

The tourism and hospitality industry is the heartbeat of our economy, and we believe that by continuing to work together as ERBID3, the English Riviera will be stronger and better positioned to compete with other destinations - both nationally and internationally - and to seize the exciting opportunities ahead.

Thank you again for everything you do.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts and working alongside you as we shape the future of the English Riviera.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Hart
Chair, English Riviera BID Company"

CONTACT US

Carolyn Custerson is the Chief Executive Officer of the English Riviera BID Company.  Carolyn welcomes your feedback on the ERBID3 Consultation Document - please contact her direct to share your thoughts, discuss any aspect in more detail, or to arrange a meeting:
Mobile: 07968 261845
carolyn@englishrivierabid.co.uk

For general enquiries related to the English Riviera BID, please contact enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk