Businesses across the Isle of Wight should look out for their Wight BID 3 Notice of Ballot, arriving by post over the next few days.
The Notice of Ballot marks an important step towards the October ballot on the proposal to continue the Isle of Wight Business Improvement District for a new five-year term.
The ballot will give eligible businesses the opportunity to decide whether to continue the work of Wight BID for the next five years, supporting the Island’s visitor economy through marketing, partnerships, representation and commercial growth.
What is included in the Notice of Ballot?
The Notice of Ballot contains important information about the proposed ballot, including:
- Who is eligible to vote.
- How to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.
- What to do if your ballot paper is lost or spoiled.
- Key ballot dates and deadlines.
- How the ballot will be conducted and the result declared.
The Notice also includes a postcard providing information about the Wight BID 3 Business Plan 2026–2031 – Shaping the Future of the Isle of Wight Visitor Economy.
The Business Plan sets out the proposed priorities for Wight BID 3 and the work that will be delivered to support businesses and the Island’s visitor economy.
Key ballot dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Over the next few days | Notice of Ballot arrives by post. |
| Thursday 1 October 2026 | Ballot papers are sent to eligible voters. |
| Monday 19 October 2026, 5pm | Deadline to apply to appoint a proxy. |
| Friday 23 October 2026 | Replacement ballot paper deadline. |
| Saturday 24 October 2026, 5pm | Deadline to cancel a proxy appointment. |
| Thursday 29 October 2026, 5pm | Deadline for ballot papers to be received. |
| Friday 30 October 2026 | Ballot papers counted and result announced shortly after. |
Who can vote?
The Notice of Ballot explains that eligible voters are the non-domestic ratepayers listed on the Isle of Wight Council’s database for each business premises within the proposed BID area.
Each person entitled to vote has one vote for each eligible business premises they occupy or, if unoccupied, own within the proposed BID area.
If you are unsure whether your business is eligible to vote, or have questions about the ballot process, please contact the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services, using the details in your Notice of Ballot.
What happens next?
Eligible businesses should keep an eye out for their ballot paper, which will be sent on Thursday 1 October 2026.
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services.
If you do not receive your ballot paper in the week after 1 October, you can contact Civica Election Services to request a replacement.
Businesses that are unable to vote themselves can also appoint a proxy, provided the application is submitted by the deadline.
Find out more about Wight BID 3
The Wight BID 3 Business Plan explains the proposed priorities for the next five years and how the BID will continue supporting the Island’s visitor economy.
We encourage all eligible businesses to read the Business Plan and take part in the October ballot.
For more information about Wight BID 3, visit https://visitwightpro.com/home/wight-bid-3 or email bid@visitwight.org.
The Notice of Ballot is issued under the Local Government Act 2003 and the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004. The full legal notice and ballot information will be provided to eligible businesses by post.