Grand Union BID Ballot Result
Businesses across Paddington have voted overwhelmingly in support of creating the Grand Union Business Improvement District (BID). The results were announced today by Westminster Council following a ballot of 74 voters between 6 May and 5 June 2025.
53 votes were cast, of which 42 were in favour, representing a 79% majority. By rateable value the majority was 77%. For a BID ballot to be succesful a majority must be in favour by both number and rateable value of votes cast.
The Grand Union BID was 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 over 25 years, delivered a range of projects and services to regenerate, engage and connect. The success and growing demand for these programmes demonstrated the desire for expansion under a formal BID structure, which now provides the necessary resources, critical mass and strategic planning to scale and enhance activity.
"At Tapestry, our mission is rooted in creating meaningful impact, and we’re proud to support the Grand Union BID as a powerful catalyst for positive change. We’re especially looking forward to collaborating on initiatives that align with our values—whether it’s empowering care leavers, supporting adults with learning disabilities into employment, or driving forward sustainability and wellbeing across our community. The BID offers a unique platform to amplify collective purpose, and we’re excited to help shape a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant Paddington through this partnership."
Grand Union BID includes approximately 40 companies representing sectors including life sciences, finance & fintech, telecommunications, engineering, transport, energy, retail, digital, data, media and hospitality. The BID will formally commence on 13 June 2025 and run until 31 March 2030.
The Paddington Partnership will be the legal entity for the Grand Union BID.
"We'd like to thank everyone who voted in the ballot, for playing their part in creating Grand Union BID, and for engaging throughout the consultation process. Businesses have very much shaped the BID proposition over the last 12 months, and made it their own. This huge vote of confidence in the plans and our team gives us a wonderful momentum to hit the ground running."
"We are incredibly excited to partner with the Grand Union BID, as it heralds a new era of growth and community spirit. Together, we have the opportunity to transform our local economy, create vibrant spaces, and uplift the lives of residents and businesses alike. Let's unite in this mission and build a brighter, more prosperous future for everyone. We are particularly enthusiastic about the social impact programme. We are eager to scale up local activities and forge long-term, strategic community relationships. The importance of ESG principles in our business operations is paramount, as we strive to create lasting positive change and drive sustainable development. Together, I believe we can make a meaningful difference."
Grand Union BID is the 20th BID in Westminster. The turnout in the ballot was 72%, one of the highest ever achieved in Westminster, and an indication of the high levels of engagement in both the consultation and ballot process.