Notice of ballot and ballot arrangements
Local Government Act 2003
Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004
This is to give notice that a ballot is to be held on the proposal of the Northern Quarter Business Improvement District to introduce a Business Improvement District (BID) in Manchester City Centre.
Civica Election Services (“CES”) of 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW have been appointed under regulation 6 of ‘The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004’ to discharge certain of the Ballot Holder’s functions in relation to the holding of this ballot.
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post.
Ballot Papers will be sent to those eligible to vote by Friday 5 June 2026 for return by no later than 5pm on Monday 13 July 2026 (the “day of the ballot”).
Who can vote in the BID Ballot?
Persons eligible to vote in the ballot will be the non-domestic ratepayers, as at the date of this notice, for hereditaments (business premises) situated in the geographical area of the proposed BID and that would be liable for the BID Levy described in the BID Proposals.
Each person entitled to vote in this ballot shall have one vote in respect of each relevant hereditament occupied or (if unoccupied) owned by them in the geographical area of the proposed BID.
Voting
The person eligible to vote should:
- put a cross (X) in the relevant box on the ballot paper
- use the box against “YES” to vote in favour of the proposed BID
- use the box against “NO” to vote against
The voter must then:
- sign the ballot paper
- write their name in block capitals
- state their position (if voting on behalf of a company or partnership)
Return of ballot papers
For a Ballot Paper to be counted, it must reach the ballot holder by 5PM on MONDAY 13 JULY 2026.
A Ballot Paper can be returned:
By post
Civica Election Services
The Election Centre
Clarendon Road
London N8 0NW
By hand
Customer Service Centre
Town Hall Extension
Mount Street
Manchester M2 5DB
Friday 5 June 2026 to Friday 10 July 2026: 9am to 4pm (Monday to Friday only)
Monday 13 July 2026: 9am to 5pm
Appointment of a proxy
Persons eligible to vote may appoint someone else to vote on their behalf.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 3 July 2026:
- Email: ballotholdermanchester@manchester.gov.uk
- Post: Electoral Services Unit, Manchester City Council, Lawton Street, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 2EZ
Applications must:
- state the full name and address of the proxy
- state the address(es) of the hereditament(s)
- be signed by the applicant
- confirm the proxy has agreed and is willing
A proxy form is available on request from the Ballot Holder.
A proxy appointment may be cancelled by notifying the Ballot Holder no later than 5pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.
Lost ballot papers
If a ballot paper has not been received by Tuesday 7 July 2026 you may apply for a replacement.
By post
- A written request
- A signed letter on company letterhead (as evidence of identity)
Send to:
The Independent Scrutineer
Civica Election Services
The Election Centre
33 Clarendon Road
London N8 0NW
By email
Email: bids@cesvotes.com
Provide one of the following:
- A signed company letterhead
- Email sent from a company email address
Spoilt ballot papers
If you spoil your ballot paper, return it to CES. A replacement will be issued upon receipt.
No replacements can be issued after Wednesday 8 July 2026.
Count of ballot papers
Ballot papers will be counted on Tuesday 14 July 2026 and the result announced shortly after.
For a BID ballot to be successful:
- a majority must vote in favour
- those in favour must represent a majority of rateable value
Rejected ballot papers
- duplicate ballot papers will be void
- unsigned ballot papers will not be counted
- unmarked ballot papers will not be counted
- uncertain ballot papers will not be counted
Declaring the result
The result will include:
- total number of valid votes cast
- aggregate rateable value of votes
- number of votes in favour
- aggregate value of votes in favour
- number of rejected ballot papers (if applicable)
For the BID Ballot to be successful:
- A majority in favour of the BID in the number of those voting
- A majority in favour in the proportion of rateable value
Explanation of BID arrangement
Explanation of the BID arrangements can be found here:
https://www.manchester.gov.uk/nq-business
Further details of the BID Proposal
If you require a copy or further information, contact:
Louise Jefferson – BID Manager
Northern Quarter Business Improvement District
Email: Louise.Jefferson@cityco.com
Issued by the Ballot Holder
Tom Stannard
Manchester City Council
Town Hall Extension
Manchester M60 2LA
Friday 29 May 2026