MyMiltonKeynes BID has secured a third five-year term after businesses backed its renewal, enabling more than £9 million to be invested in Milton Keynes city centre between 2027 and 2032.
The Business Improvement District received 97% support among those voting, with votes in favour representing 98% of the total rateable value cast.
Turnout reached 48%, up from 30% at the previous ballot and the highest participation rate across the organisation’s three renewal ballots.
The new term will begin in June 2027. MyMiltonKeynes BID is funded through a mandatory levy on eligible city centre businesses, which supports its programme of services and improvements.
Its business plan, Milton Keynes City Centre: Investing Together 2027–2032, sets out four priorities covering the city centre environment, visitor experience, future development and business connections.
Investment will continue to fund security patrols, public realm improvements and festive lighting. The programme also includes destination marketing, major events, business insight, accessibility initiatives and projects to improve how people use and experience the city centre.
Jill Farnsworth, chief executive of MyMiltonKeynes BID, said: “While this result provides welcome reassurance that the work we do is valued, it also reflects a shared belief that Milton Keynes is on the cusp of something big. We can all feel it and it’s exciting. The city is growing and the opportunity is real, but it won’t happen by accident. This result means we can continue building momentum and making sure Milton Keynes City Centre is ready to benefit from what comes next. Massive thank you to every business that supported us with a yes vote. We’re incredibly excited about the future.”
A board of volunteer representatives from the city centre’s business sectors oversees delivery of the plan and sets the organisation’s strategic direction. It is led by an independent volunteer chair.
Diane Wehrle, chair of the MyMiltonKeynes BID board, said: “This is a tremendously positive result and a clear endorsement of both the work undertaken over the last ten years and the ambitions set out for the next five. The Board would like to thank every business that took the time to participate in the ballot process. Collective investment has already delivered a great deal for Milton Keynes City Centre and this result gives us the confidence and mandate to continue building on that success.”
MyMiltonKeynes BID will prepare to implement the new business plan over the coming months while continuing its current programme until the new term begins.
Pictured: The MyMiltonKeynes BID team at the launch of its 2027–2032 business plan. Businesses have since backed a third term, securing more than £9 million of investment in Milton Keynes city centre.
