The Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership and the Programme Director of Scotland’s Improvement Districts has said that the success Yes ballot made by Byres Road businesses to continue the Business Improvement District for another five years will be crucial for Glasgow’s post-COVID recovery.
The postal ballot was held after the Business Improvement District put forward a business plan to member businesses earlier this year. The 2020 – 2025 Business Plan was created following a four-month long consultation process where over 200 businesses in the Byres Road and Lanes area were invited to share their views on what they would like to see done to improve the area.
The successful ballot result was announced by the Deputy Returning Officer at Glasgow City Council last week. The successful result comes on the back of a £1 million fund announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government for BIDs to support local businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Business Improvement Districts are a collaborative business improvement model whereby local businesses come together to invest in joint projects and initiatives aimed at improving the local economy and community for the benefit of all.
The return on investment is realised through more economic activity and better business outcomes. The investment, over and above that provided by local and national government, is collected through an additional levy on local business rates.
BID Chairman and local businessman, John Turner, said:
“We appreciate that the results of the ballot were very close, and I can assure you that we will take this into account in all that we plan to do, especially as the crisis situation eases and we plan on how to support our member businesses as things return to normal, whenever that might be.
“In the meantime our dedicated office team will be continuing their work in providing advice, support and information to our business members to help them get through these extraordinary and difficult times.”
Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Programme Director of Scotland’s Improvement Districts, Phil Prentice, said:
“With nearly forty Business Improvement Districts across Scotland, they are a crucial part of Scotland’s economic infrastructure and they will be a hugely important asset to the recovery of towns and cities when we emerge from this crisis. BIDs bring businesses together to develop innovative solutions to challenges facing the local economy and come up with new ideas to drive local economic activity for the benefit of everyone.
“I want to congratulate Byres Road BID in putting together a visionary Business Plan for the coming five years, and I know they are working tirelessly to support local businesses through this challenging time.”
ENDS
Notes
- For media enquiries, contact Gareth Brown, gareth@messagematters.co.uk / 07907 520571
- Find out more information about Scotland’s Improvement Districts here.
