8. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
A 50 year history of BIDs, originally started in Canada.
Model successfully transferred and implemented across
the world with some 1700 now in operation.
Nearly 200 BIDs now in the UK.
9. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
A Distinctive Scottish Model
The use of BIDs should not be restricted to large towns/cities so as
to allow for innovative schemes to be developed where possible.
A BID could also focus on a particular sector or theme rather than a
district, for example;
tourism
agriculture
rural areas
single business sector
a theme
‘Scottish approach seen to be innovative and good practice’
10. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
TOWN CENTRE - 38
TOURISM AND VISITOR - 1
BUSINESS PARKS - 5
THEMED EVENING ECONOMY - 1
RURAL - 1
PROMOTIONAL - 2
BIDs Scotland – punching well above its weight.
30 OPERATIONAL AND 18 IN DEVELOPMENT
11. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Renewal Ballots
Falkirk Delivers
Essential Edinburgh
Inverness City BID
Enterprising Bathgate
Clacksfirst Limited
Alloa
Dunfermline
Kirkcaldy
BUSINESSES VALUE THE IMPACT AND DIFFERENCE THAT A BID CAN
BRING TO AN AREA
12. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Myths and Misinformation
An additional charge to the Non Domestic Rate
An additional source of funding for the local authority
A % of the Non Domestic Rate
Its going to cost a lot of money
It’s a con
14. Key Partner
Best Friend
Main stakeholder involved
throughout the development
and operation of the BID
Business Improvement Districts Scotland
The Local Authority
15. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
THE BENEFITS OF A
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
COLLECTIVE WORKING AND INVESTMENT
SHARING RISKS AND PLATFORMS FOR GROWTH
REDUCE COSTS
A VOICE FOR BUSINESSES
INFLUENCE AND DIRECTION OF TOWN
DEVELOPMENT
IMPROVEMENT AND COMPETITIVE EDGE
ON SITE MANAGEMENT
A STRONG LOCAL PARTNERSHIP
16. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Strong Local Partnership
By working together the businesses and local authorities
can provide a clarity of vision, leadership and strategic
focus for an area, encouraging private and public sector
investment.
A reduction of risk.
17. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
BIDs deliver on,
Single Outcome Agreements and
Scottish Governments National Objectives.
Contributing to - Sustainable Economic Growth
18. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
More Opportunities for
Business Improvement Districts
The Scottish Governments Town Centres Action Plan
The Community Empowerment Bill
19. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
The Leverage
Over £17 Million of Private Sector
Investment
Additional Levered Income of over
£16 Million
A Total Investment of over £34 Million
21. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
The Leverage
Enterprising Bathgate and West Lothian
Council property improvement project
jointly funded to £132k.
Levered in over £1.3m of private sector
investment.
22. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
A Better Place to Do Business
BIDs Scotland is working with a number of organisations to
develop a National Procurement Framework and with the
BIDs to encourage collective working across the country,
Savings on Utilities
23. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Objective – A Safer and Stronger Scotland
Dunfermline Delivers in partnership with Fife
Council and other local organisations has
delivered a Safe Zone including Pub
Watch, Taxi Marshalls and Street
Ambassadors.
A 60% reduction in anti-social behaviour
and criminal activities in Dunfermline town
centre
Preventative Spending
24. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Objective – A Greener Scotland
Essential Edinburgh has delivered a waste
reduction programme that has generated £205k of
cost savings for 170 BID area businesses.
A further eight BID Companies are working with
Zero Waste Scotland to reduce waste generated
by businesses and improve local recycling.
Contributing to Scotland’s Zero Waste Strategy and
the Scottish Government's Climate Change Agenda
by reducing CO2 emissions.
25. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Objective – A Wealthier and Fairer Scotland
Creating employment and working with the local
community is a consistent theme of the work of
BIDs in Scotland with,
Enterprising Bathgate
Embrace Elgin and
Queensferry Ambition
being particularly active in the employment
agenda, working with their local communities and
their schools estate.
26. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Enterprising Bathgate
A partnership project with,
Bathgate Thistle Community Football Club
West Lothian Council
Active Schools
Balbardie and St Mary’s Primary School
Plan is to develop an initiative that will encourage pupils to
take part in after school activities involving the football club.
CSR – Health – Working in the Community
27. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Objective – Wealthier and Fairer, Greener and Safe and
Stronger Scotland
SPICE (Strategic Partnership for Investment in the
City of Elgin).
SPICE is a partnership of Elgin BID (Lead), Police
Scotland, Moray Council, Elgin Community
Council, Elgin Academy, Elgin Benevolent Trust,
the Elgin Fund, Moray College, Area Forums and
Community Warden
28. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Objective - Healthier
I Clarkston
Developed out of a Health and Open
Space and Smarter Choices Smarter
Places Projects.
Linking a package of measures to the key
objective of,
‘Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle’.
29. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Width of Projects
Heritage Trail, Litter and Gum Reduction, Taxi Code of
Conduct, Anti Social Behaviour Reduction, Retail Crime
and Pub Partnership, Best Bar None, Youth Drink Aware
Project, Dealing with Conflict, Employment and Work
Agenda, Education and Schools Projects. Digital
Connectivity.
33. Business Improvement Districts Scotland
Ian Davison Porter
Director
Business Improvement Districts Scotland
8 Melville Street
Edinburgh
EH3 7NS
Mobile 0780 106 4733
email ian.davisonporter@bids-scotland.co
Website www.bids-scotland.com
LinkedIn BIDs Scotland
36. City of Elgin BID Ltd
Began in February 2010, following a successful first ballot
Went through the Renewal Ballot process in Autumn 2014
Gained approval from the BID members in December 2014,
to undertake a second five year delivery term
36
37. What we wanted to achieve
A strong and well marketed reputation as a destination with a joined up
and diverse retail and tourism offer, reflecting the strengths, heritage and
diversity of the area;
A well maintained and attractive appearance with accessible and
affordable parking, well managed traffic and clear signage for all;
A diverse programme of cultural, community events and markets, well
publicised and making optimum use of new technology
37
38. What we have achieved
A selection of the initiatives we have implemented include:-
Shop Frontage Improvement Scheme
Reduction in Car Parking Charges (£1 for 2 Hours)
Shrubbery Removal from Rooftops
Visitor Information Points within City Centre Businesses
Online Retail Crime and Pub Partnership – free to BID members
Staff Training & Business Development Opportunities
Increased funding for the City e.g. Conservation Area project (below)
Greater & more productive collaboration
Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere Heritage Trail
Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme
38
39. BID Business Plan 2015 - 2020
The new Business Plan was developed following consultation with
businesses, shoppers, young people and stakeholders including The
Moray Council.
The plan outlines:-
The Key Themes which will form the basis of the next 5 years work
A summary of the consultation process and outcomes
How the funding will be used
Management and operation
How the renewal ballot works
39
40. What the businesses said they
wanted from the Phase 2 business
plan:-
The priority order given to “themed activities” which are
incorporated within the business plan:-
(1 being highest – 6 being lowest)
1. Building a reputation & marketing Elgin as a vibrant
destination
2. Tourism & entertainment
3. Cleanliness, safety and appearance
4. Community Involvement
5. Parking and traffic issues
6. Business Engagement
40
41. Monitoring Performance
Elgin BID currently use Working Groups to drive forward project
activity from the Business Plan
Marketing Group & Environmental Group
We will use the Annual Report to ensure transparency, good
governance and provide annual updates for our business
members
The Annual Report provides an update on each of the Themes
and Projects within the Business Plan
In addition we use electronic business bulletins to provide
ongoing updates
In 2015 we will be introducing “focused” business meetings as
an additional support tool for our members
42. Marketing Group Activities:–
The examples below provide an illustration of some of the activities carried
out:-
Festival of Events, including Easter, Christmas, Food & Drink, Scottish
Theme Day
Business Features & City Promotion in regional press
Heritage Experience – Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere
WorldHost Customer Service Training - Regional Destination Status
Business Maps, Food and Drink Maps
South Street the Wedding Street – business collaboration
Healthy High Streets Project – one of 30 towns selected within UK
42
43. Environmental Group Activities:–
The examples below provide an illustration of some of the activities carried out:-
Online Retail Crime & Pub Partnership – free to all BID members
Street Sweeping Machine
Street Planters
Hanging baskets
Retail Crime Meetings in partnership with Police Scotland
Christmas Lights – extensive project underway to renew the city lighting scheme
in 2015
Signage – around city centre
Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme
Shop frontage Improvement Scheme
43
44. Opportunities for success
Elgin BID has been able to act as a conduit for activity
including:-
• South Street the Wedding Street – 60% of businesses, their funding &
BID’s support
• “Free after 3.00” – Parking proposal – going to committee on the 7th
April to pilot free parking in multi storey car park
• Zero Waste Scotland – Single Use Carrier Bags
• Collaboration – Boots & Ditsy Teacup
• Retention of Street Planters – more attractive view of the city
• There is strength in numbers and collaboration can provide opportunities
for all businesses to benefit
44
45. Elgin BID ltd
"Over the last five years, Elgin BID has brought focus to Elgin Town Centre as a
retail and leisure destination. Locals and visitors have benefited from a greatly
improved town centre appearance, frequent diverse markets and events, and
the success of BID campaigns such as on car parking charges. For the past
five years, and I hope for the next five, businesses in the town have a voice
achieving results for their shared interests." - Paul Rollo, Director, Speyside
Whisky Ltd.
“Elgin BID have supported me from the day I started my new business
venture. Personally they have assisted my business in developing marketing
strategies and giving me the opportunity to network with other successful
business men and women. I believe Elgin Bid is essential to the success of
Elgin's business future.” – Anna Rogers, Owner, Angharad Bridal.
45
46. Conclusion
The BID model offers sustainable regeneration
It is open, time bound and accountable
It relies on a strong, committed & solution orientated
partnership with a strong vision
Its aims and objectives are dictated by business needs and
aspirations
46
49. A Local Government perspective on BIDs
Daniel McKendry
Principal Regeneration Officer
Economic Development and Regeneration
Environment Department
East Renfrewshire Council
51. Can we have some more, Sir?
Dependent or fighting back?
52.
53. Common Messages – Perfect Storm
Problems
● Too many shops
● Recession, Welfare Reform, disposal income
● Online and Digital – channel shift
● Out of Town and Leisure competition
● Rates, Parking, Planning, cost, choice
● No Leadership or vision – Town Teams etc
……… Time for Action !
● Options
● Nothing
● Town Centre Manager
● Traders Group – formal or informal
● Town Centre Partnership – formal or informal
● Trust
● BID
● Council Led
55. Horses for courses?
Scale and Leadership
• Barrhead. Master plan approach –
investment led
• Neilston Renaissance. A community led
Charter for Change
• Clarkston BID. By businesses for a
better town centre that the whole
community can be proud of.
• Giffnock BID
• Barrhead BID?
56. BARRHEAD - Why Regenerate?
• Loss of Industry
• Unemployment
• Relative Decline re ERC
• Dated town centre
• A combination of
opportunities
• Delivery via
Regeneration Board
61. Community & Economic Benefit
● £29m of Public Investment has so
far delivered £120m Private
● Positive Benchmark Evaluation
62. •Glasgow Road Corridor Job Creation
•£920,000 – 2015/16
•Foundry Links
•£1,380,000 – 2017
•Auchenback Rail Station
•£11,500,000 – 2020
•Dams to Darnley Country Park
•£5,612,000 – 2016/18
•Visitors Centre
•Services & Infrastructure
•Junction 5 to Barrhead
•£21,826,000 – 2017/20
•Business Incubation & Innovation Centre
•£2,762,000 - 2016
63. What is Community Empowerment?
Supporting communities to do things for themselves
Empowers and involves individuals and communities / localities around decisions that
affect them
Why?
Gives people control over their lives and the services they can influence
Empowers and create confidence and participation
Encourages confidence and builds skills and capacity
Better tailored outcomes – eg jobs, services, health, crime, equality
How?
Right to buy – private or public land and buildings – including compulsion
Flexibility with Rates, Right to run services
Community Engagement
More transparent common good
Allotments etc
79. Clarkston – compared
to others
• East Renfrewshire BID
• Clarkston BID
• Smallest in Scotland, possibly in
the UK
• As a result: high levy (private
individual contribution) and
budget significantly smaller:
£60,000 compared to £2,000,000
in many other BIDs i.e.Edinburgh,
Inverness
• highly reliant on eagerness of
businesses and
people contributing to it part time
and voluntarily
80. Early lessons from Clarkston BID
• Setting up the Board (although Clarkston is a bit different) and
having a good chair as champion
• Quick hit project after the ballot
• Communications
• Working with the businesses
• Partnerships
• Partnership with the council
• Levering in additional funding
97. Common Threads
• Encouraging communities to take charge
of the their future
• Locally designed solutions
• Investing in Place and Pride
• Feeding confidence and imagination
• Making and taking Chances
• Mixing and matching
• Learning from mistakes
• Writing your own future
100. Table 1 Business Improvement Districts
Ian Davison Porter, Director of BIDs Scotland
Table 2 The North East of Scotland College (NESCOL)
Linda Hope and Lindsey Hatherley
Table 3 Business Gateway
Karen Gibson and Elaine Reid
Table 4 Creating a vision for the town centre
Gill Neill, BID Manager from Embrace Elgin
Table 5 miconex
Colin Munro and Richard Gray
Table 6 The Federation of Small Business (FSB)
Brian Stewart-Coxon
Table 7 Small Business Improvement Districts
Daniel McKendry
Table 8 The Retailer
Gordon Bell, director of The Retailer
Table 9 The Chambers of Commerce (AGGC)
Rachel and Emma