Hotels vote for a new Accommodation BID for Birmingham

Hotels and other accommodation providers in Birmingham have voted to create a new Accommodation Business Improvement District, which will raise money to attract more visitors, events and overnight stays to the city.

In the ballot, 64 per cent of votes cast were in favour, representing 59 per cent of the total rateable value of the businesses that voted. Turnout was 54 per cent.

What a BID is

A Business Improvement District is an arrangement in which businesses in an area vote to pay a levy, usually a small percentage of their business rates, into a fund they control. The money is spent on projects that benefit the businesses that pay it. Birmingham already has several BIDs covering areas such as the Colmore Business District and Southside.

The Accommodation BID is different because it is based on a sector, hotels and other places to stay, rather than on a single neighbourhood.

What the money will be spent on

The BID's business plan for 2027 to 2032 focuses on subvention, which means financial support used to win major conferences and events, destination marketing, speaking up for the sector and other schemes to encourage more people to visit and stay overnight.

It will start work on 1 April 2027, in partnership with accommodation providers, the Birmingham Hospitality Association, the region's growth company and other visitor economy organisations.

Following Manchester and Liverpool

Manchester and Liverpool already have similar schemes, and supporters say they have helped those cities compete for big conferences and festivals. Birmingham's hotel sector will now have its own fund to do the same.

Why it matters

Birmingham hosts major events at the NEC, the International Convention Centre and Utilita Arena Birmingham, as well as sport at Edgbaston and Villa Park. Visitors who stay overnight spend much more in the local economy than day visitors, on hotels, food, drink and entertainment.