In June, FOR Cardiff’s members will vote in a ballot to decide whether the Business Improvement District (BID) should continue delivering projects and services that support and enhance Cardiff’s trading environment.
Despite its importance, the ballot process can sometimes feel unclear. This guide explains how it works, so you can feel confident and informed about the ballot process.
What is FOR Cardiff?
FOR Cardiff is the trading name of Cardiff BID Ltd., the independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2016 to run Cardiff’s Business Improvement District (BID).
All businesses within the BID area are members and pay a mandatory annual levy which funds projects and services shaped by business priorities.
FOR Cardiff operates on a five-year term, after which member businesses vote in a ballot to decide whether it continues.
What is the Ballot?
The ballot is a formal vote that determines whether FOR Cardiff should continue to operate for another five-year term. This means FOR Cardiff is accountable to the businesses that fund it.
Who Gets to Vote?
Member businesses within a defined BID area in Cardiff city centre and potential member businesses within a defined BID area in Cardiff Bay are eligible to vote.
Each eligible business will receive a ballot paper from 15th May, and voting is done by post. In some cases, businesses with multiple properties may have more than one vote.
How Does the Voting Work?
The ballot uses a dual-threshold system. For FOR Cardiff to be renewed, two conditions must be met:
- A majority of votes cast must be in favour (by number of voters).
- A majority of the total rateable value of votes cast must also be in favour.
This ensures that both smaller and larger businesses have a fair say in the outcome.
Why Your Vote Matters
If the ballot is successful, FOR Cardiff continues to operate and businesses in the defined BID area pay a levy to fund its work.
If the ballot is unsuccessful, FOR Cardiff will cease to operate and all BID-funded services and projects will stop from 30th November 2026.
What Are You Voting On?
FOR Cardiff’s city-centre members and potential Cardiff Bay members will vote on FOR Cardiff’s More FOR Cardiff, Together 2026-2031 Business Plan which will launch in May. FOR Cardiff’s Business Plan outlines:
- Key priorities for the next BID term (2026-2031).
- Proposed projects and initiatives.
- Budget allocation.
- Strategic vision for Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay.
FOR Cardiff’s Business Plan for 2026-2031 has been shaped via extensive engagement with city centre businesses, including surveys, workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one meetings. It is your opportunity to assess whether the for Cardiff’s plans align with your business needs.
What Businesses Will Pay
The levy is set at 1.6% of your property’s rateable value.
For example, a unit with a rateable value of £30,000 would pay £480 per annum.
This is below the UK average BID levy of 1.75%, representing strong value for the level of investment delivered.
In its third BID term, FOR Cardiff is projected to invest £12.78 million.
Key Dates 15th May – 2nd July 2026
- 15th May – Business Plan Launch and Notice of Ballot
Your ballot paper and pre-paid, branded envelope will be posted to your business address on or after this date.
- 4th June
Ballot opens. You can return your ballot paper from this date. If you have multiple votes, please return them all. Your ballot paper must be returned via post.
- 2nd July
Ballot closes. To ensure your vote counts, you must return your ballot paper in the pre-paid envelope to arrive by 5pm on this date.
- 3rd July
The ballot result will be posted on the FOR Cardiff website and social media.