Why do I have to pay the BID levy as well as rates?

Rates are a property tax to fund both local and regional services. They are collected by Land and Property Services on behalf of the NI Executive and District Councils. Businesses have little say in how their rates are distributed. The BID levy is completely ring fenced and is used to provide additional services for the immediate area, funding projects and activities that the City Council does not offer. Spending within the BID is determined by a Board, drawn from local organisations.