The results of the Carlisle Business Improvement District ballot have been announced today (Friday 28 November) following a 28-day postal ballot - run between 31 October to 27 November 2025.
Total number of votes cast in the ballot, excluding any given on ballot papers rejected: 234
Aggregate rateable value of each hereditament in respect of which a person voted in the ballot: 11,509,550
Total number of votes cast in favour of the Carlisle Business Improvement District (BID) Ballot: 128
Aggregate rateable value of each hereditament in respect of which a person voting in the ballot has voted in favour of the Carlisle Business Improvement District (BID) Ballot: 7,477,750
Report on turnout: 236 returns were received representing an overall turnout of 24.74%
The total number of ballot papers rejected was as follows: 0 unsigned, 2 unmarked.
This means the proposal to create a Business Improvement District for Carlisle will go ahead and will be in place over a five-year period between 1 February 2026 and 31 January 2031.
The ballot was administered by UK Engage on behalf of Cumberland Council.
For the BID to proceed, it needed to secure a majority of votes both by number and rateable value.
The BID area covers the urban area of Carlisle, incorporating the urban wards of Belah, Stanwix Urban, Botcherby, Harraby North, Harraby South, Upperby, Currock, Denton Holme, Castle, Morton, Yewdale and Belle Vue. The BID area also incorporates parts of the Houghton and Irthington, Wetheral and Dalston and Burgh wards that lie closest to the urban area.
Cumberland Council and the Cumberland BID Company are now responsible for implementing the BID arrangements. The council’s responsibility includes managing the billing, collecting the levy and holding the levy in a ring-fenced revenue account on behalf of the BID body.
The levy collected will be used to deliver a five-year programme of activity focused on:
Animation: developing and delivering an annual programme of festivals, public art, and cultural events to boost footfall and civic pride.
Marketing: developing and delivering strategic campaigns to position Carlisle as a destination for tourism, investment, and talent.
Supporting Businesses: developing and delivering tailored services for start-ups and SMEs, including training, networking, and advocacy.
Improving Livability: developing and delivering projects to enhance public spaces, safety, and wellbeing to attract and retain skilled workers.
Find out more on the BID webpage.