Today marks an important next step for the Isle of Wight visitor economy: we’re launching the Wight BID 3 Business Plan 2026 – 2031.
Before anything else, here’s what’s changing about how the levy works – because we know this matters as much as the plan itself.
Two changes designed to make the levy easier on your business
- The £150 minimum payment has been removed. Previously, every business paid at least £150 regardless of rateable value. That flat floor is gone. Under BID 3, you pay only the amount calculated from your rateable value and sector rate – nothing more.
- You can now pay by Direct Debit. Instead of finding one lump sum, you’ll be able to spread your levy across the year – so the bill doesn’t land all at once during the quieter months, when cash flow is tightest for many tourism businesses.
Together, these changes are designed to make BID 3 fairer and more manageable for businesses of every size – particularly smaller operators and those with strongly seasonal trade.
The Business Plan itself
Developed through consultation with businesses and stakeholders across the Island, the plan sets out an ambitious five-year programme built around three priorities:
- Marketing our island – destination campaigns, digital growth, a new consumer website and stronger destination branding.
- Partnerships & representation – a stronger collective voice, strategic partnerships, and opportunities for businesses to connect, influence and grow.
- Commercial growth & intelligence – research, data and commercial partnerships to identify opportunities and inform decisions about the Island’s future.
Why this matters
For the past ten years, businesses have worked collectively to promote the Isle of Wight, raise its profile and support the wider visitor economy. There is no alternative funding or replacement body for this work – without a successful ballot, destination marketing, trade activity, industry representation, the consumer website, partnerships and research would all cease.
What happens next
The Notice of Ballot will be issued in mid-September, with ballot papers sent to all eligible businesses on 1 October 2026. When yours arrives, please make sure you have your say and vote. A successful YES vote secures five more years of collective investment in our visitor economy – with a levy that’s fairer, and easier to pay, than ever before.
Read the full Wight BID 3 Business Plan here
Find out more about the Wight BID on our dedicated website wightbid.co.uk
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
Best wishes,
Dominic Wray
Interim CEO, Visit Isle of Wight