Grand Union BID Proposal
The Paddington area has undergone significant change over the past 25 years, with more than 20 major development schemes completed across 80 acres. This successful transformation has attracted many of the world’s leading corporate occupiers to the district, making Paddington London’s fastest-growing business area. Although there is still much development in the pipeline, many estates are now mature and focusing on long-term sustainability and placemaking. The Grand Union BID represents an opportunity to create a permanent, sustainable forum to optimise Paddington’s potential as both a leading business community and a destination.
What is a BID?
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a statutory designation; a defined area where local businesses invest collectively to deliver a suite of projects, activities and services set out in a formal business plan. BIDs are business-led organisations funded by a mandatory levy on all eligible businesses following a successful ballot. A levy is charged in addition to the business rates bill and is used to provide ringfenced funding for projects that benefit the local business community, its staff, customers, clients and guests.
The Grand Union BID proposal has been developed by talking to Paddington businesses, local stakeholders and landlords over the course of 2024. It has evolved over that time to incorporate ideas from businesses right across Paddington.
Read the full BID Proposal
The BID will deliver a range of projects and services for businesses, under the themes of Regenerate, Connect, Engage and Represent. You can read the full BID Proposal below which includes detail on the benefits, the BID levy, governance and the BID ballot.
The BID Proposer
The Grand Union BID is proposed by The Paddington Partnership, a voluntary membership organisation already comprising some of the biggest landowners and companies in the UK. The Partnership has, for the last 25 years, delivered a range of projects and services to regenerate, engage and connect. The success and growing demand for these programmes demonstrates the desire for expansion under a formal BID structure, which would provide the necessary resources and strategic planning to scale and enhance activity. The Paddington Partnership will be the legal entity for the Grand Union BID.
BID Benefits
Shifting to a BID-based model will enable businesses to benefit from a joined-up package of improvements to support employee satisfaction and retention, attract people back to the office and ensure Paddington remains a leading business destination, equipping the district to meet evolving tenant expectations and form a successful commercial ecosystem.
- Regenerate: Public realm interventions right across Paddington have tackled severance and kickstarted a wider placemaking approach. Over 80 acres of brownfield land has been turned into a thriving new business and residential community, opening up public access to the Grand Union Canal for the first time in its 200-year history. The BID will enhance wayfinding, improve the safety of routes for pedestrians and cyclists and provide practical tools for businesses to welcome visitors and guests.
- Connect: Social value and volunteering opportunities have fostered a strong sense of community, enhancing business reputations. In 2024 over 7,500 volunteering hours were given from 37 Paddington companies, supportng 30 charities, schools and community groups. This activity will be scaled up, with increased skill-sharing and sustainability opportunities, a new Community Fund and Community Hub introduced.
- Engage: Multiple estates, bodies and schemes across Paddington make it challenging for people who visit, live and work in Paddington to see and access all that Paddington has to offer. The BID will create dedicated channels for news, events and offers in Paddington and introduce cross-company sector-based employee and Next-Gen networks. Trails and discover walks will celebrate Paddington's heritage, assets and local communities.
- Represent: As a statutory designation, the BID can advocate and lobby for Paddington's business community and priorities, with a direct line to Westminster Council, Transport for London, Network Rail and the Mayor of london. A new Occupier Board will shape the BID with representation drawn from companies across Paddington.
The BID Area
The Grand Union BID will cover Paddington station, the eastern side of Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington Central, Merchant Square and the area around the Grand Union Canal up to Little Venice.
Governance
The BID framework is democratic, allowing businesses to contribute to and benefit from its initiatives. BID member businesses will be able to shape the work of the BID, its priorities and oversee the proposed Community Fund through a new Occupier Board drawn from all buildings and estates in Paddington.
Grand Union BID will work closely with neighbouring BIDs Marble Arch London (to the east) and PaddingtonNow (to the south) to combine efforts on shared priorities. There is already an informal association of Westminster’s BIDs, and Grand Union BID will join these to ensure that your concerns can be amplified at a London-wide and national level.
The BID will commence mid-June 2025, subject to a successful ballot over May and June. If successful, the BID will continue before businesses are asked to vote again on a new proposal in Q1 2030.
Download a Summary of the BID Proposal
Get in touch with us for any additional information.
01.04.24
