Ballymena BID Re-ballot 2025 – Your Vote, Your Town, Your Voice
Ballymena BID was the first Business Improvement District Established in Northern Ireland and has proudly delivered real, tangible benefits for local businesses since its inception. From major marketing campaigns and town centre events, to safety partnerships and direct business support, the BID has been your dedicated voice for Ballymena.
As we approach the end of our second term, the future of Ballymena BID is now in your hands. Every five years, businesses must decide whether to continue the BID for another term. This process is called the BID Re-ballot, and it’s your chance to shape the future of our town centre.
If businesses vote YES, the BID will continue for another five years, unlocking up to £1 million of investment in Ballymena town centre through levy income and additional funding.
If businesses vote NO, Ballymena BID will cease on 31 March 2026, and all current services, marketing and investment will stop.
Important Ballot Dates
- 📩 Notification of Ballot issued – by Thursday 9 October 2025
- 📮 Ballot papers sent out – by Thursday 16 October 2025
- 🖊️ Appoint a proxy – by Monday 17 November 2025
- ❌ Cancel a proxy – by Saturday 22 November 2025
- ⏰ Ballot closes – Thursday 27 November 2025
- 📢 Result announced – by 5pm, Friday 28 November 2025
Each eligible business ratepayer gets one vote per property. For the BID to continue:
- A majority of businesses must vote YES, and
- The total rateable value of those YES votes must be greater than the NO votes.
Who Runs the Ballot
The BID ballot will be independently managed by Civica, ensuring full fairness and transparency. The ballot count will also be verified in line with national BID regulations.
Why This Matters
Ballymena BID has invested in the town through:
- Marketing & Events – driving footfall and spend
- Safety & Security – working with PSNI, BRAC and PCSP and joint funding the Town Centre Warden
- Business Support & Skills – practical help, training and lobbying for funding
- Town Centre Improvements – from planters to festive animation and artwork
A YES vote secures this work and continued investment. A NO vote means all BID-funded services and initiatives will end on 31 March 2026.
What You Lose if It’s a NO Vote
If the BID is not renewed, there is no replacement body to continue its work. The following will be lost:
- ❌ No Ballymena-focused marketing or promotional campaigns
- ❌ No Ballymena Gift Card – which has generated hundreds of thousands in local spend
- ❌ No events, family fun days, trails or animation to drive footfall
- ❌ No Discount Day campaign or major seasonal promotions
- ❌ No additional investment or lobbying for town centre funding
- ❌ No town centre warden presence or coordinated safety initiatives
- ❌ No lobbying to government on local business needs
- ❌ No support or training for businesses
- ❌ No single, united voice representing Ballymena’s business community
When the BID ends, so does the funding, structure and partnership working that underpin all these initiatives.
📥 Download the Ballymena BID 2026–2031 Business Plan. – A copy will also arrive in the post by 17th October.
This plan sets out how levy income will be invested over the next five years, including marketing priorities, business support, safety initiatives and more.
Next Steps for Businesses
- Look out for your ballot papers arriving mid-October.
- Read the Business Plan to understand what a YES vote delivers.
- Vote YES to secure £1 million in investment for Ballymena town centre.
- Return your ballot paper before Thursday 27 November 2025.
Need Support?
The Ballymena BID Team is here to help with any questions about the re-ballot process or what the next five years will look like.
📞 Office: 028 2568 9440
📱 Mob: 07885 440926 / 07854 133310
✉️ Email: bidsmanager@ballymenabid.com
🏢 Or call into the BID office for a chat.
✅ Your vote matters.
✅ Your town.
✅ Your future.
✅ Vote YES for Ballymena BID.
