Birmingham’s accommodation sector has voted to establish the city’s first Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), creating a new industry-led mechanism to invest in attracting visitors, events and overnight stays to the city.
The ballot saw 64% of votes cast in favour of the Birmingham Accommodation BID’s 2027–2032 Business Plan, representing 59% of total rateable value, with a voter turnout of 54%.
The new BID will begin delivering its business plan from 1 April 2027, working closely with accommodation providers, the Birmingham Hospitality Association, West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) and wider visitor economy partners.
Its programme will focus on destination marketing, business advocacy, attracting conferences and events, and activity designed to increase overnight visitor numbers and spend.
Developed by industry stakeholders and led by the Birmingham Hospitality Association with support from Birmingham Colmore, the BID will provide a new collaboration between Birmingham’s accommodation businesses to invest collectively in the long-term growth of the city.
For WMGC, the new model will strengthen collaboration between the accommodation sector and partners working to promote Birmingham and the wider West Midlands as a leading leisure and business events destination.
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of West Midlands Growth Company, said:
“We warmly welcome the successful ballot result and congratulate everyone involved in bringing the Accommodation BID to fruition.
“The Birmingham Accommodation BID will play a vital role in strengthening Birmingham’s ability to attract major conferences, festivals, exhibitions and business events. By strengthening collaboration across the sector and investing in subvention and destination development, the BID will help ensure Birmingham both remains highly competitive and an attractive place to visit, stay and do business.”
The result has also been welcomed by the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, which provides an industry voice for the region’s visitor economy.
Andrew Lovett, Chair of the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, said:
“This is a hugely positive development for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands visitor economy. The strong backing from accommodation providers demonstrates the sector's confidence in the city's future and its willingness to invest collectively in driving growth.
“Building on the work to support and promote the region's tourism and hospitality industry, the Accommodation BID will create a platform for collaboration, helping Birmingham attract more major events, conferences and visitors, while increasing overnight stays and economic impact across the region. It is particularly encouraging to see the industry taking a leadership role in shaping the destination's future, ensuring Birmingham remains competitive with other leading UK cities.”
The creation of the BID comes as the West Midlands continues to grow its visitor economy and strengthen its pipeline of major business, cultural and sporting events.
WMGC works with destinations, businesses and industry partners across the region to attract visitors, secure conferences and events, develop visitor products and strengthen the West Midlands’ position in domestic and international markets.
The Birmingham Accommodation BID will provide an additional industry-led platform for that work, helping the sector invest collectively in the future competitiveness and growth of Birmingham as a destination.
Find out more about the Birmingham Accommodation BID and its 2027–2032 Business Plan on the Birmingham Hospitality Association website.
