Business Improvement DistrictsBorne out of Town Centre Management Partnerships the concept was originally set up in Canada in the 1960’s, but took off in the US in the late 1970s.

BIDs have already been successfully implemented in New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, Serbia, England, Wales, Germany and Republic of Ireland and are now progressing in other areas of Europe.

It is estimated that there are over 1400 BIDs in operation ranging from the very successful and often quoted New York Times Square BID to lesser known BIDs such as the Keswick Business Improvement District.

What is a BID?A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business led strategy within a precisely defined geographical area of a town, city, commercial district or rural area, where non domestic ratepayers have voted to invest collectively in local improvements in addition to those services delivered by statutory authorities.

They are often, although not exclusively, a partnership arrangement. They are not a substitute for central or local government investment.

KEY ISSUES The BID is led by the private sector

Important to demonstrate that services and projects are additional to those delivered by the statutory authorities

The BID levy, which is either a fee or can be based on the non domestic rates valuation, must be an investment in

business growth.

BIDs in Scotland may be funded by eligible rates payers and property owners

The levy can be varied by business discipline, location and size of business.

KEY ISSUES

The BID scheme will not be implemented unless it is approved in a ballot by the businesses who will be liable to pay the additional BID levy

A bottom up local strategy for local issues and problems.

Locally managed and financed, accountable and responsible at a local level.

In Scotland a BID has a term of five years after which it must seek a new mandate.

What Makes a Successful BID

Clear Private Sector Benefits

Increased footfall and encourage greater consumer spend A safer environment A cleaner, improved environment for employees and customers Greater efficiencies through collective procurement resulting in overhead reductions Collectively invested money which works harder and smarter, sharing costs and responsibilities Higher impact marketing and promotion The opportunity to attract additional funding Strong and effective private/public partnerships Joint effort and drive towards a shared vision A strong local voice for business.

What Makes a Successful BID

Clear Public Sector Benefits BIDs contributes towards policy aspirations across a range of areas including planning (SPP8 Town Centres and Retailing), tourism, economic development and regeneration, and contributing to the SOA of the local authority.

creating accessible employment opportunities for local people creating vibrant and viable town centres that support wider community regeneration objectives identifying a long-term role and sustainable future for the town increasing the value of tourism to the local economy by attracting more visitors to the area joint effort and drive towards a shared vision. gives a clear steer to the private sector on the level of ambition and opportunity for future change.

BIDs can help improve the performance of Scottish towns and contribute to Scotland’s growth rate.

What Can A BID Do?

1. Access – transport and signage2. Safety and Security3. Environmental Improvements4. Capital Improvements5. Marketing and Promotion, Hospitality and Events6. Local Government Relations7. Collective Effort8. Collective Procurement9. Business to Business Selling10.Competitive Place11.Asset Management12.Economic Growth

Business Improvement Districts Scotland Established BIDS

Bathgate - town centre

Clackmannanshire - business parks

Inverness - city centre

Falkirk - town centre

Edinburgh - city centre

Alloa - town centre

Developing BIDS

Dunfermline - town centre

Kirkcaldy - town centre

Elgin - town centre

Clarkston - town centre

Milngavie - town centre

Lerwick - town centre

Aberdeen City

Argyll and Bute – Helensburgh

Ayrshire – Dalry - Largs

Clackmannanshire - Alloa

Dumfries and Galloway - Wigtown

Dundee

East Dunbartonshire

East Lothian

East Renfrewshire

Fife – Kirkcaldy - Dunfermline

Mid Lothian

Moray - Elgin

Orkney – Kirkwall

Scottish Borders – Peebles – Selkirk - Galashiels – Hawick – Jedburgh

Shetlands Islands – Lerwick

South Queensferry

South Lanarkshire – Stonehouse

Stirling City Centre

West Lothian – Linlithgow

Business Improvement Districts Scotland

Business Improvement Districts Scotland

The Future Development of Rural BIDSDevelopment of Tourism and Visitor BIDS (DMO’s)Improvement Area’sEuropean Funding

Projects 2009 – 2010Vital and Vibrant Town Centres ConferenceScotland’s Towns WebsiteDeveloping BIDS SeminarsGroup ProcurementScottish Accreditation

Business Improvement Districts Scotland

Business Improvement Districts Scotland

Ian Davison PorterProject Director Business Improvement Districts Scotland Scottish GovernmentArea 3J Victoria QuayEdinburgh EH6 6QQ

Telephone 0131 244 4075 Mobile 0780 106 4733email ian.davisonporter@bids-scotland.com

Website www.bids-scotland.com