The result for the Kingston First Renewal Ballot has now been announced. Businesses voted overwhelmingly in support of renewing the BID for another 5 year term from January 2025 to December 2029.

94% of businesses voted in favour (96% by RV), with a turnout of 58%. You can find the official declaration of the result here.

Our vision is for Kingston to be a vibrant town where everyone has an amazing experience.

Over the last 5 years we have worked hard through challenging times; improving the public realm through urban greening, topping up the cleaning provided by the council, putting on events to drive footfall, marketing businesses and the town centre, organising networking events, and providing value for money services.

Every 5 years there is a ballot, where all businesses and organisations have a vote. Kingston Firsts next ballot is in June 2024, and if successful we will start our fifth term from January 2025 – December 2029.

Every eligible business will have the opportunity to have their say in surveys, networking events, workshops and one-to-one meetings. The BID will then produce a new business plan to benefit Kingston Town Centre.

Business Plan_thumb nail

Kingston First Business Plan, 2025-2029

Ahead of the Renewal Ballot in June, we are pleased to unveil our new business plan for 2025 – 2029.

The plan outlines our £5 million, 5 year programme of investment for Kingston Town Centre and support for you, from Jan 2025. It is based on your feedback in surveys, engagement events and 1-2-1 meetings over the past year.

READ THE BUSINESS PLAN

Here is why businesses will be Voting YES for £5 million of investment in Kingston & support for you

An interview with Richard Sharp, Head of Unilever UK

Who we are

We are thrilled that so many business and organisations value the work Kingston First Business Improvement District (BID) undertakes. Voted for, supported by and working with local businesses, Kingston First is a not-for-profit company with a passionate team, governed by local volunteers from the surrounding business community, with the sole purpose of improving our local area as a place to work, visit and live.
VIEW THE BID BOUNDARIES
Kingston-First_Team

We did that…

What happens if I don’t vote or I vote no?

There is no Plan B

A ‘no’ outcome means that none of the projects or services in our forthcoming business plan will be delivered and Kingston First will cease to exist on 31st December 2024.
There are no other organisations that can represent you, and fund or deliver the additional projects and services that Kingston First does.
Council budgets are under pressure, who will ensure Kingston Town Centre gets the baseline services it needs, and continues to be a vibrant town? Can you imagine a Kingston with:
❌  No advertising for your business
❌  No Christmas lights, market, or marketing campaigns
❌  No Keep It Kingston app
❌  No hanging baskets or planters maintained
❌  No deep cleaning or business graffiti removal
❌  No free training for you and your employees
❌  No cost saving support
❌  No additional funding for improving the public realm
❌  No free recycling or waste discounts
❌  No business representation to council or police
❌  No public art or event screens
❌  No visitor or town centre performance insights
❌  No town centre newsletter
❌  No business networking events
❌  No marketing for Kingston Town Centre
Kingston-First_Market-Place

The BID Renewal Ballot

Kingston First’s ambition is to continue its work to improve and serve the town centre. To do this, like all other BIDs in England, it must be successful at a renewal ballot which will ask businesses to vote on whether they wish Kingston First to continue.

The Kingston First BID Renewal ballot will be a postal ballot carried out by Civica on behalf of Kingston Council. All businesses eligible to pay the BID levy will have a vote for each unit they pay business rates on (hereditament). Businesses occupying more than one hereditament within the area will therefore be entitled to more than one vote.

For Kingston First to continue and implement its BID Proposal for 2025-2029 the ballot result must be positive on two counts:
  • The majority of votes must be in favour of the renewal of Kingston First BID
  • The total rateable value voting in favour must exceed those voting against

We operate within the boundary shown on the map which includes the following streets, either in whole or in part.

Adams Walk, Alderman Judge Mall, Apple Market, Ashdown Road, Bath Passage, Bishops Hall, Brook Street, Castle Street, Charter Quay, Church Street, Clarence Street, Cromwell Road, Crown Arcade, Crown Passage, Dolphin Street, Down Hall Road, East Lane, Eden Street, Eden Walk, Emms Passage, Fairfield North, Fairfield Road, Fife Road, Griffin Centre, Grove Crescent, Harrow Passage, High Street, Horse Fair, Jerome Place, Kent Road, Kings Passage, Kingston Hall Road, Lady Booth Road, Market Place, Milner Road, Nipper Alley, Old London Road, Penrhyn Road, Ram Passage, Richmond Road, Riverside Walk, Skerne Road, South Lane, St James’ Road, Steadfast Road, Thames Side, Thames Street, The Bittoms, Union Street, Vicarage Road, Wadbrook Street, Water Lane, Weston Park, Wheatfield Way, Wood Street

Key dates

  • November 2023 - March 2024
  • March 2024
  • May 2024
  • 28th May 2024
  • 27th June 2024
  • 28th June 2024

FAQs

Why should I vote in Kingston First's renewal ballot?

  • Over the last 5 years we have worked hard through challenging times; improving the public realm through urban greening, topping up the cleaning provided by the council, putting on events to drive footfall, marketing businesses and the town centre, organising networking events, and providing value for money services.
  • In our new Business Plan we commit to:
    • Invest in a safe and welcoming town centre
    • Promote and celebrate Kingston as a unique destination
    • Deliver a better connected Kingston
    • Support your success by saving you time and money
  • There are no other organisations that can represent you, and fund or deliver the additional projects and services that Kingston First does, for example marketing the town and your business, representing businesses with the police and council, Christmas in Kingston, and providing free recycling.

Who can vote in Kingston First's renewal ballot?

  • Each business and/or organisation entitled to vote in a Business Improvement District ballot is allowed one vote in respect of each property occupied or, if unoccupied, owned by them in the geographical area of the Business Improvement District as at the date of the Notice of Ballot issued in May 2024.
  • The business/ property owner themselves, or their nominated representative  i.e. a manager/supervisor can vote
  • If the voter has left the business, a nominated representative i.e. a manager/supervisor can vote in their place

How do I return my ballot paper?

You can post your ballot in any postbox, including the following locations:

  • In the postbox at the junction of Castle Street and Clarence Street, outside Starbucks/opposite Specsavers
  • In the postbox on Union Street, outside Everyday Church
  • In the postbox in the Market Place, outside Funclub
  • In the postbox at the junction of Eden Street and Ashdown Road, outside Krish
  • In the postbox at the junction of High St and Bath Passage, outside Zizzi/opposite Wildwood
  • In the ballot box at The Guildhall, High Street 
  • For Bentall Centre businesses, in the ballot box in the Bentall Centre Management Suite

Why have I received more than one ballot paper?

If you occupy more than one hereditament (property/space that you pay business rates on) within the town centre, you will receive multiple ballot papers, please return them all.

What should I do if I can't vote as I will be away?

Please ask your nominated representative i.e. a manager/supervisor, to vote for you. They can fill in the papers on your behalf.

What if I don’t vote, or vote no?

There is no Plan B

A ‘no’ outcome means that none of the projects or services in our Renewal Plan will be delivered and Kingston First will cease to exist on 31st December 2024.

There are no other organisations that can represent you, and fund or deliver the additional projects and services that Kingston First does.

Council budgets are under pressure. Who will ensure Kingston Town Centre gets the baseline services it needs, and continues to be a vibrant town? Can you imagine a Kingston with:

  • NO Christmas lights, market, events or marketing campaigns
  • NO marketing and promotion of Kingston Town Centre or businesses
  • NO Keep It Kingston app
  • NO free recycling via First Mile
  • NO hanging baskets or planters maintained
  • NO voice for the business community with the council or police
  • NO additional deep cleaning, or business graffiti removal from businesses properties
  • NO street art, sculpture trails, light trails, Wimbledon screens, deck chairs
  • NO free training for you and your employees
  • NO insight into town centre performance or research with visitors
  • NO newsletter keeping you informed of town centre news
  • NO additional funding for improving the public realm
  • NO networking events with other town centre businesses

How do I vote and what do the ballot papers look like?

  • Ballot papers will come in a white envelope, with Royal Borough of Kingston and Kingston First logos on the front, addressed to the voter.
  • The ballot paper will be green. Put a cross for ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, for whether you would like Kingston First to continue for another 5 year term.
  • Fold the ballot paper and put in the brown ‘postage paid’ envelope.
  •  If you occupy more than one hereditament (property/space that you pay business rates on) within the town centre, you will receive multiple ballot papers. Please return them all.
  • Post the ballot paper at one of the following postboxes/ballot boxes:
    • In the postbox at the junction of Castle Street and Clarence Street, outside Starbucks/opposite Specsavers
    • In the postbox on Union Street, outside Everyday Church
    • In the postbox in the Market Place, outside Funclub
    • In the postbox at the junction of Eden Street and Ashdown Road, outside Krish
    • In the postbox at the junction of High St and Bath Passage, outside Zizzi/opposite Wildwood
    • In the ballot box at The Guildhall, High Street 
    • For Bentall Centre businesses, in the Bentall Centre Management Suite

What if the voter for my business has left?

A nominated representative i.e. a manager/supervisor can vote in their place.

Lost and spoilt ballot papers

Replacement ballot papers can be requested. To help you with this process, please contact us on 020 8547 1221 or email info@kingstonfirst.co.uk

Meet the team

LEARN MORE
Kingston First_shapes-03

Additional Documents

BASELINE AGREEMENT (DRAFT)
OPERATING AGREEMENT (DRAFT)
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