Digbeth businesses have voted YES to establishing a new Business Improvement District (BID), unlocking over £3m of investment in the area over the next five years
The result was announced today, Friday 17 July, following a month-long ballot giving eligible businesses across Digbeth the chance to have their say on the future of the area.
The final voting figures were 83% YES by number of businesses voting and 89% YES by rateable value.
The successful vote means Digbeth businesses will now have a stronger collective voice and over £3m to invest back into the area, supporting local businesses, improving the basics and protecting the character, creativity and culture that make Digbeth, Digbeth.
Emma Riley, Chair of Digbeth BID and Executive at Shine TV, said:
“Digbeth is an incredibly special place. From independent venues and creative organisations to globally recognised names, this area has always had its own identity, energy and community spirit.
“We’re delighted that businesses have voted YES and backed a shared vision for Digbeth’s future.
“There’s a lot of change coming, and this is our opportunity to make sure Digbeth benefits from it. We want to build on everything that’s brilliant about the area, give businesses a stronger voice and make sure that, as Digbeth grows, it stays true to what makes it unique.”
So, what’s the plan?
The Digbeth BID Business Plan is built around three core priorities, shaped by the needs and ambitions of local businesses:
Ambition & Aspiration – putting Digbeth on the map as a go-to destination for business, culture and creativity, attracting new opportunities and investment while celebrating what makes the area different.
Better Basics – focusing on the things that matter day-to-day, from cleaner streets and improved safety to better maintenance, accessibility and connectivity. The BID will also work with Birmingham City Council and other public agencies to make sure Digbeth gets the services it should, while investing in additional support to go further.
Community & Culture – supporting the people, spaces, organisations and ideas that give Digbeth its identity. That means championing creative and cultural spaces, backing events and local campaigns, creating opportunities for collaboration and helping Digbeth grow without losing its soul.
The BID arrives at a big moment for Digbeth.
With HS2, the expansion of the West Midlands Metro, the arrival of the BBC at The Tea Factory, and significant commercial and residential development on the way, the area is entering a period of major change.
The BID will bring together more than 500 businesses to help make sure that growth works for the people and businesses already here – while strengthening Digbeth’s position as one of Birmingham’s most creative, independent and distinctive districts.
Dr Eileen Schofield, Deputy Chair of Digbeth BID, Chair of West Midlands Irish Business Group, said:
“This is a brilliant result for Digbeth and, most importantly, for the businesses that call it home.
“The BID gives us the opportunity to work together, invest in the things that matter and have a stronger collective voice in the decisions that affect the area, in support of the Digbeth Business and Cultural Community.
“Digbeth has always done things a little differently. Now we have an opportunity to shape what’s next, together.”
The Digbeth BID will officially begin its first five-year term on 1 September 2026.
For more information and to read the Digbeth BID Business Plan, visit the Digbeth BID website.