The York BID

Home
United Kingdom
York
The York BID

A Business Improvement District for York - working together for a stronger city The current BID term levy is based on 2010 business rates evaluation.

A Business Improvement District is a specifically designated area where businesses within it work together to invest in services, special projects and events with the aim to increase economic development and growth. BID projects and programmes are in addition to services provided by the City of York Council and funded by an annual contribution of 1% of the rateable value from businesses that are within the BID area. Now one of 200 operational BIDs across the UK, the York BID was voted in by businesses by a 76% majority in November 2015. This establishes the BID to operate for five years requiring all businesses within the BID area (of rateable value threshold which is currently £12,500 and above) to pay the mandatory levy.

06/10/2026

Penny farthings were the height of modern transport in the late 19th century. This gentleman seems to have taken a rather long way round…

Have you spotted him on the Ghosts in the Gardens trail? 👻

Pick up a free trail map from the Visit York Information Centre (also available on the York BID website), explore more than 30 locations across the city and see if you can spot all 70 ghosts.

📅 19 September - 1 November�
📍 Across York city centre�
🎟️ Completely free

Ghosts in the Gardens is crafted in partnership with Unconventional Design and we’d like to thank everyone who comes together across the city to make this trail possible.

01/10/2026

A rustle overhead. A flicker between the branches. Then… a rather familiar tail 🐿️👻

Some of York’s Ghosts in the Gardens are lingering up above!

Pick up a free trail map from the Visit York Information Centre (also available on the York BID website), explore more than 30 locations across the city and see if you can spot all 70 ghosts.

📅 19 September - 1 November�
📍 Across York city centre�
🎟️ Completely free

Ghosts in the Gardens is crafted in partnership with Unconventional Design and we’d like to thank everyone who comes together across the city to make this trail possible.

28/09/2026

Meet the Jester, one of ten new ghosts joining Ghosts in the Gardens this year.

Have you found him yet, or has he had the last laugh?

Pick up a free trail map from the Visit York Information Centre (also available on the York BID website), explore more than 30 locations across the city and see if you can spot all 70 ghosts.

📅 19 September - 1 November�
📍 Across York city centre�
🎟️ Completely free

Ghosts in the Gardens is crafted in partnership with Unconventional Design and we’d like to thank everyone who comes together across the city to make this trail possible.

25/09/2026

Meet the storytellers of Ghosts After Dark: Mad Alice and The York Dungeon.

🩸 Mad Alice of The Bloody Tour of York will reveal the gruesome truths behind the Executioner, the Judge, the Tudor Lady and the Saxon Monk.

🎆 Hear the story of The York Dungeon’s Guy Fawkes and his ill-fated past, then step into the Undercroft to discover the plague-infested streets of York in 1551.

They’re just some of the spectacular storytellers you’ll meet after dark. We’ll be introducing more of them here soon...

See them at Ghosts After Dark in York Museum Gardens, 4-8 November. Tickets are £10 for adults and £2 for children.

Ghosts After Dark is brought to you by York BID and York Museums Trust.

24/09/2026

York, you’ve been bringing the good vibes! 🎶

We’re halfway through Live For St Leonard’s at York Food & Drink Festival, and these photos give you a taste of the music, the crowds and the atmosphere so far.

There’s still time to join us. Catch free live performances in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square from every evening until Saturday 26 September. Grab something to eat at York Food & Drink Festival, stay for a set or two, and discover your next favourite local act.

It’s free to enjoy, with donations welcomed for St Leonard’s Hospice. Find the remaining line-up here: www.theyorkbid.com/live-for-st-leonards/

23/09/2026

Coming exclusively to the Ghosts After Dark Night Market…

We’re excited to announce that 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙍𝙆 𝙂𝙃𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙈𝙀𝙍𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙎 ®️ will take up residence in the historic York Observatory for all five nights of Ghosts After Dark, this November.

As part of our brand-new Night Market, the Merchants will release two new Ghosts created exclusively for the event:

The Little October Phantom - a small white Ghost with eyes that glow an eerie yellow after exposure to light. £13.

The Nebula Observatory Ghost - a larger Ghost decorated with intricate, two-coloured phosphorescent patterns inspired by the swirling gases and cosmic dust of distant nebulae. Each one is completely unique. £25.

Both are Happenstance Ghosts and will be sold pre-boxed from The York Ghost Merchants at The Observatory.

Find them at Ghosts After Dark in York Museum Gardens from 4-8 November - but be warned: these exclusive Ghosts will not linger for long…

Please note: The Ghosts After Dark Night Market is only accessible with a valid ticket for the event.

Ghosts After Dark is delivered in partnership by York BID and York Museums Trust.

17/09/2026

🎶 Live For St Leonard’s is back!

From Friday 18th to Saturday 26th September, more than 70 free performances will bring Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square to life as part of, and in partnership with, York Food & Drink Festival.

Join us from 5pm to 9pm each evening for nine nights of brilliant bands, solo artists and acoustic performers from across York – all while helping to raise vital funds for St Leonard’s Hospice.

Since York BID launched Live For St Leonard’s in 2021, it has raised more than £25,000 to support local patients and their families.

Who’s playing? Explore the full programme: theyorkbid.com/live-for-st-leonards

16/09/2026

🎉 Happy 10th birthday to the York BID Street Rangers!

On this day ten years ago, York BID established the city’s first Street Ranger team. Since then, it has grown to become one of our most successful and valued projects.

You may never have had to call on them directly, but you will have felt the difference they make. Every day, come rain, shine or snow, they support businesses dealing with shoplifting and antisocial behaviour, provide first aid, share vital information and work closely with the emergency services and other city partners.

As the eyes and ears of the city centre, they help make York safer and more welcoming for everyone – and, of course, they give the best directions a visitor to the city could wish for!

The York BID Street Rangers are familiar faces to hundreds of city-centre businesses, always ready to offer practical support, reassurance or simply a friendly check-in when it’s needed.

A heartfelt thank you to every Street Ranger who has been part of the team over the past decade.

Ten years of looking out for York and the people who make our city centre what it is. Thank you 💙

14/09/2026

Live for St Leonard's see the full listing on our website www.yorkfoodfestival.com to see all of our performers!

Address

Duncombe Place
York
YO107ED

Website

http://www.theyorkbid.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The York BID posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to The York BID:

Want your organisation to be the top-listed non profit organisation in York?