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.

Timeline

Timings are as follows:

Early 2026 - preparation of final Business Plan
Mid May - postal despatch of Ballot Notifications
Mid May - postal despatch of Business Plan
From 28th May - postal despatch of ballot papers
25th June - close of postal ballot
29th June - ballot result notification

The Notice of Ballot can be viewed at https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/english-riviera-bid/

'IN THEIR OWN WORDS' VIDEO - LOCAL BUSINESSES SUPPORT THE ERBID

A huge thank you to the local business representatives who generously gave their time to support ERBID3 by taking part in the video featured at the top of this page.
With thanks to:
John Jones, Dartmouth Steam Rail & Riverboat Company, Paignton
Alex Foley, Guardhouse Cafe, Brixham
Anthony Jones, TwentyOne and Otto, Torquay
Gary Blackmore, Torcroft Bed & Breakfast and the Torcroft Apartments, Torquay
Julia Jones, Blue Waters Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Paignton
 

ERBID3 BUSINESS PLAN

Following consultation with levy-paying businesses, the ERBID3 Business Plan was published in mid-May, with printed copies sent by post to all eligible businesses.  Please click below to view or download the full document, which is also available to access as a pdf here.

Why ERBID3 Matters leaflet

Explore our 'Why ERBID3 Matters' leaflet - a handy reference sheet summarising what’s at stake and why your support is vital to the future of English Riviera marketing:

AN UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR - FEBRUARY 2026

"Firstly, a big thank you to all the businesses that took the time to attend our consultation sessions and share their views on our proposals for a third term ahead of the ERBID3 ballot this summer.  Your feedback has been extremely valuable.

Following these meetings, and in light of the particularly challenging environment facing tourism and hospitality businesses - especially since the November Budget - the English Riviera BID Company Board has been giving careful consideration to the proposals discussed.

As a result, the Board unanimously agreed at its most recent meeting that there will be no changes from the current ERBID levy structure in the Business Plan for ERBID3.

The levy arrangements for ERBID3 (2027–2031) will therefore remain as follows:

• 1.95% of rateable value, for properties with a rateable value over £3,000
• £150 minimum charge per annum

We will now begin preparing the final ERBID3 Business Plan, which will be posted to you for your consideration as an eligible business.

Your ballot papers will be issued by post from London.  The postal ballot is expected to run from 28^th May to 25^th June, with the result announced on 29^th June.

To be clear about the implications of the ballot outcome:

• A positive vote will secure approximately £3 million for professionally coordinated destination marketing for the English Riviera from 2027 to 2031.
• A negative vote will result in the closure of the English Riviera BID Company and the cessation of all related services on 31^st December 2026.

In the wake of the shocking and unexpected liquidation of Visit Cornwall in 2025, I sincerely hope that our tourism and hospitality industry will recognise the value of continuing to work together and will support this very important ballot to secure sustainable funds to promote the area.  

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

With kind regards,

Chris Hart
Chair, English Riviera BID Company"
 

ARCHIVE INFORMATION - UPDATES AND THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

Update February 2026
After consideration of consultation feedback from levy-paying businesses, and in light of the particularly challenging environment facing tourism and hospitality businesses - especially since the November Budget - the ERBID Board unanimously agreed at its most recent meeting that there will be no changes from the current ERBID levy structure in the Business Plan for ERBID3.  

Update November 2025
Update following changes in rateable values published after the Budget: Please be assured that the ERBID Board are fully aware that the 2025 Budget may have a notable negative impact for many ERBID Levy Payers. As a result, we will be carrying out a full review before announcing any final Levy proposals for ERBID3.

ERBID3 Consultation Document

*Update - please be aware that the levy proposals laid out on page 21 of this document have not been carried.  There will be no changes to the existing ERBID2 levy structure in the ERBID3 Business Plan.*

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 here to download it as a pdf.

Your voice matters: Autumn Consultation Sessions

A series of informal consultation sessions for BID levy-payers was held across the Bay, in October and November 2025.  These consultation sessions were open exclusively to eligible ERBID levy-paying businesses and invited strategic partners.

Thank you to everyone who took part.  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. 

👉🏽 View the key feedback from the ERBID3 Consultation Sessions here.

If you are a levy-paying business and have previously shared your email address with us, then we will have contacted 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.  

CONTACT US

Carolyn Custerson is the Chief Executive Officer of the English Riviera BID Company.  Carolyn welcomes your feedback on the ERBID3 Business Plan.  
Tel: 01803 211211
carolyn@englishrivierabid.co.uk

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