Portsmouth city centre is set for a transformation after 93 per cent of businesses voted in favour of launching the area’s first Business Improvement District. This new, business-led initiative will see approximately 289 local businesses pool resources to fund improvements across the city centre, specifically covering the area around Commercial Road and Guildhall Walk.
The project will officially launch on 1 October 2026 and run for five years until 30 September 2031. During this time, a 1.75 per cent levy on businesses with a rateable value of £7,500 or more will raise £1.6m. Portsmouth City Council is acting as the largest contributor to the fund, committing £35,000 per year to the project.
The funding will be directed into four main areas designed to improve the local experience for residents and visitors. The largest portion, £600,000, is dedicated to safety and security, which will include measures such as security marshal patrols. Other focus areas include £350,000 for events and marketing, £250,000 to make the area more attractive, green, and clean, and £50,000 to support collaborative lobbying for the city centre.
The proposal was shaped by a steering group featuring representatives from major retailers and local organisations, including Boots, Cascades Shopping Centre, Citrus Facilities Management, Nationwide, NatWest, Primark, and Tesco. The final ballot was overseen by independent scrutineer Civica Election Services, with the results officially declared on 16 March 2026.
Further details regarding the upcoming five-year plan can be found through the Portsmouth City Centre BID information page.
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