BID Levy & Business Rates – What’s the difference?

Business Rates

  • What are business rates?
    Business rates (or non-domestic rates) are taxes collected by councils or local authorities from the occupiers or business owners of non-domestic properties to help pay for local services.
  • What do business rates pay for?
    Examples include street lighting, road maintenance, police and fire brigade, general street cleaning
    Business rates do not cover business waste collection, Acton’s EV cleaning buggy, security patrols by MLB and other BID services.
  • Who pays business rates?
    All businesses are registered for business rates.
    This includes all rateable businesses, commercial properties, shops, offices, pubs and restaurants, holiday and rental homes, warehouses and factories.
    The occupier of the premises is responsible for payment.
  • How are business rates calculated?
    Business rates are based on the rateable value of the business premises.
    Rateable value is an estimate by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) of how much is would cost to rent the property for 1 year.
    Business rates are calculated by multiplying the rateable value of the property by a multiplier which is set by the government each year.
  • Thresholds 2025-26
    Rateable value over 51,000 = Standard business rates multiplier 55.5p
    Rateable value under 51,000 = Small business rates threshold multiplier 49.9p
    Discounts and relief are available for some businesses including those with rateable value under 15,000. Check your rateable value.
    PLEASE NOTE: BUSINESS PREMESIS WILL BE REVALUATED ON 26TH NOVEMBER 2025 AND NEW RATINGS APPLIED FROM 1ST APRIL 2026. IF YOU WISH TO APPEAL YOUR RATING, YOU MUST SUBMIT BEFORE 31ST MARCH 2026.
  • How much will I pay 2025/26?
    Ealing Council will send a letter to the premises detailing the amount. You can also use the following formula to estimate.
    Formula: 20,000 (rateable value) x 0.499p (small business multiplier) = £9,980 (basic business rates / year)

BID Levy

  • What is a BID?
    A business improvement district (BID) is a geographical area in which local businesses have voted to invest together to improve and grow the business environment. It provides support services, special projects and events, and a platform for businesses to collaborate.
  • What does the BID levy fund?
    The levy is directly invested to support a range of initiatives voted for by Acton locals, to help support and grow local businesses. These include security, cleanliness, connectivity and support for Acton.
    Examples include discounted business waste collection, dedicated cleaning EV on duty 5 days / week, on street security with My Local Bobby, pest control services, , training courses including first aid and fire safety, free PSP consultation and more.
  • Who contributes to the BID levy?
    Rateable business within the Acton BID boundary with rateable value over 10,000.
    The occupier of the premises is responsible for payment.
  • How is the BID levy amount calculated?
    Rateable value is also used as the basis of the BID levy.
    The levy is calculated by multiplying the rateable value of the property by a multiplier which is set by Acton BID, in order to deliver the voted for themes.
  • Thresholds 2025-26
    Rateable value over 10,000 = BID levy multiplier 1.25%
    Rateable value under 10,000 = Exempt from BID levy contributions. Check your rateable value. PLEASE NOTE: BUSINESS PREMESIS WILL BE REVALUATED ON 26TH NOVEMBER 2025 AND NEW RATINGS APPLIED FROM 1ST APRIL 2026. IF YOU WISH TO APPEAL YOUR RATING, YOU MUST SUBMIT BEFORE 31ST MARCH 2026.
  • How much will I contribute 2025/26?
    You will receive a letter with the Your Acton BID logo detailing the amount. You can also use the following formula to estimate.
    Formula: 20,000 (rateable value) x 0.125 (multiplier) = £2,500 (basic BID levy / year)

In Summary…

Business rates are taxes paid to Ealing Council and apply to all business premises, funding local infrastructure and some services within the authority’s district. Local elections usually take place every four years, and eligible individuals vote for who they want to become councillors within their local authorities.

Acton BID is a locally based not for profit company with a 5-year term. Only businesses within the BID boundary, with a rateable value of more than 10,000 contribute to the BID levy. These funds are specifically allocated to initiatives voted for by local businesses, to improve and grow business in the area.
The Acton BID team have boots on the ground in Acton 5 days a week. We work to develop relationships with local business owners, can quickly address issues, and are able to liaise on behalf of businesses with Ealing Council.