After an independent month-long postal ballot, eligible businesses operating across the English Riviera have voted YES to continue the English Riviera Business Improvement District (ERBID2). It will now operate until the end of 2026, spending over £3m in that time to market and help manage the resort.

The ballot result was announced by Anne-Marie Bond (Chief Executive Officer at Torbay Council) at 4.30 pm today who is the Returning Officer.

76% voted in favour by number and 83% voted in favour by rateable value. A majority was required on both counts in order for the BID to continue and this was achieved.

Speaking on behalf of the English Riviera BID Company, Tim Godfrey Chairman, said ‘’We are thrilled with the result as it will allow us to continue the work we have been doing to support local tourism businesses. Professionally coordinated Destination Marketing is critically important and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those businesses that took the time to vote in what has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone.’’

ERBID2 will focus on delivering a refreshed 5-year Business Plan, which has been the result of extensive consultation with businesses since February. Highlights of the plan include an increased focus on high profile Digital Marketing to reach new audiences nationally and increased investment in the development of new year-round events programme, working in partnership with Torbay Council.

‘I am very excited about the future’ said Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the ERBID Company. ‘So much has been achieved over the past 5 years and we can now build on this taking full advantage of the easing of lockdown as well as all the investment we are seeing in the Bay. I am really looking forward to continuing to work with our amazing tourism businesses and strategic partners to secure our position long term, as the UK’s premier resort.’’