The VIOW board met on Wednesday 10 June for one of our most substantive sessions to date. With the BID 3 submission deadline at the end of this month, the levy structure was the principal focus — but we also approved our annual accounts, reviewed the results of the levy payer survey, and heard encouraging early progress on marketing. Here is a summary of what was discussed and decided.
BID 3 Levy Structure
The board held a thorough, constructive discussion on the proposed BID 3 levy structure. There is clear and shared agreement that the levy needs to increase from its current level — which has remained broadly unchanged for around a decade — to fund a DMO capable of making a meaningful, measurable difference to the Island’s visitor economy.
The board is working through two structural models: a sector-based stepped levy and a rateable-value banded approach. Both options are being remodelled and will be shared with each director individually over the coming days. A further board meeting will be convened before the 30 June submission deadline to ratify the final structure.
One decision was confirmed at this meeting: an annual inflationary uplift (RPI or CPI) has been approved in principle as a built-in feature of the BID 3 levy for each year of the five-year term.
Annual Accounts Approved
The board reviewed and formally approved the audited statutory accounts for the financial period ending 31 October 2025. The accounts have been signed on behalf of the board and returned to the auditor.
Levy Payer Survey: Your Priorities
The board reviewed the headline results of the Wight BID 2026 levy payer survey. The message from businesses is clear. Your top three priorities are:
- Digital marketing
- The visitor website
- Business engagement
We have already begun redirecting resources to reflect these priorities — and they will shape the BID 3 proposition directly.
To complement the survey, a director-led programme of business visits is being established. Board members will be visiting levy payers across the Island over the coming weeks — you may well hear from one of us directly. We are also committing to more regular, public communication about the meetings we attend, the businesses we engage with, and the positions we are taking on behalf of the sector.
Marketing Update
The Strategic Marketing Group met for the first time under its reconstituted structure on 9 June, chaired by Claire Davies (Parkdean Resorts). The Sunday Club, our PR agency, presented six weeks of output — with strong uptake from national publications. A full report will be shared with all board members shortly.
We are also actively exploring a summer marketing investment to drive broad awareness of the Island at peak season. Proposals under consideration include:
- Increased PR activity via The Sunday Club
- Uplifted paid social media reach
- A potential immersive digital campaign in London
Our six-month BID review report — setting out in detail what your levy has funded to date — will be published this week. We will share it widely.
What’s Next / Dates to Note
- Director one-to-one consultations on the levy structure — from 11 June
- Six-month BID review report — publishing this week
- Summer marketing proposals to be circulated to the board for approval
- Further board meeting to ratify the final levy structure — before 30 June
- BID 3 proposal submitted to Isle of Wight Council — 30 June (hard deadline)
- Isle of Wight Council committee vote on the BID 3 ballot — 22 July
Dominic Wray, CEO | Steven Wells, Vice Chair
Visit Isle of Wight