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Kirkcaldy Business Improvement District (BID) Consultation Takes Significant Step Forward
Originally a Canadian concept from the 1960s, there are some 1,500 BIDs in the world today making a huge contribution to the success of their local economies. Thanks to legislation passed by the Scottish Government in 2007, BIDs can be formally established in Scotland where there are currently 6 in place. A BID is a business-led programme of investment to tackle key priority issues identified by businesses. Most importantly, any issues tackled or projects undertaken by a BID are new and additional to Council and other public sector services, never replacing them.
The Advisory Board has had a couple of very positive meetings and will oversee the process until a formal ballot takes place in March 2010, and has already agreed on the scope of the questionnaire and the potential geographical area which a BID would cover. In essence, the area focuses on the “customers’ experience”, entering the town centre from the train station, from Esplanade and from the harbour area. Over 450 businesses are located within this area. The scope of the questionnaire covers 5 key themes : Promoting Kirkcaldy, Safe & Welcoming issues, Clean and Attractive Town Centre, Acting for and on behalf of business, and Making the Town Centre More Accessible. The Advisory Board Chairman is Dom Panetta, proprietor of hair salon Migele Experience and a KTCM Director, and he was at pains to emphasise that the BID slogan – “Making Change Happen” – is about positive change in Kirkcaldy Town Centre with local businesses taking charge rather than the Council. He said, “ I urge all businesses in the town centre to wholeheartedly back the BID . It’s a unique opportunity for all business owners to have a direct influence on the future success of our Town Centre. Despite the current economic climate, BIDS will enable us to transform Kirkcaldy into a safer, cleaner and more appealing destination for local people and visitors alike. I believe that this initiative, if successful, will be the catalyst for positive change.” Two of the BID Advisory Board Members added their support. Christine Cunningham, owner of the beauty salon, “Bliss Beauty”, voiced the concerns and hopes of many small businesses “I feel the BIDS Questionnaire is a perfect opportunity for small business owners such as myself to give their opinion on local issues which we feel may have an impact on our businesses on many different levels. In these difficult economic times, it's great to feel we have a chance to voice our ideas and that they will be listened to and considered, however small. Local businesses keep Kirkcaldy colourful, so I feel the Questionnaire is a valuable tool to potentially help improve our Town Centre trading area, and enrich the area on the whole.” Dennis Alexander, owner of the Chickenshop and the Pancake Place added, “This is something positive we can all do to improve the Town Centre. I hope all businesses will take the opportunity to read and contribute to the project.”
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Kirkcaldy Town Centre Management (KTCM) this week reported a significant step forward in exploring the possibility of establishing a Business Improvement District in Kirkcaldy. A major attempt has been made to reach out to all 450 Town Centre businesses and asking them what matters to them and their business environment the most. The questionnaire survey follows almost 100 interviews with local businesses to see if there was value in exploring the concept of a BID forward.
KTCM is leading the project in Kirkcaldy with help from the Scottish Government and Fife Council but has devolved all decision-making to a BID Advisory Board consisting primarily of town centre businesses. Sunil Varu, Kirkcaldy Town Centre Manager, and Linda McIntosh, Kirkcaldy BID Coordinator, are working with the BID Advisory Board to take the BID through to the formal vote in March 2010. The Advisory Board is representative of the spectrum of Kirkcaldy Town Centre life : from different parts of the town centre (east, west, pedestrianised, Hunter Street) and sectors (retail, professional services, media, pub/club) as well as large and small businesses (local independent and national retailers) while also involving Fife Council and Fife Constabulary.
