2. Business Improvement Districts Borne 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. What Can A BID Do? 1.Access – transport and signage 2.Safety and Security 3.Environmental Improvements 4.Capital Improvements 5.Marketing and Promotion, Hospitality and Events 6.Local Government Relations 7.Collective Effort 8.Collective Procurement 9.Business to Business Selling 10.Competitive Place 11.Asset Management 12.Economic Growth

9. 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

10. 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

11. The Future Development of Rural BIDS Development of Tourism and Visitor BIDS (DMO’s) Improvement Area’s European Funding Projects 2009 – 2010 Vital and Vibrant Town Centres Conference Scotland’s Towns Website Developing BIDS Seminars Group Procurement Scottish Accreditation

12. Business Improvement Districts Scotland

13. Ian Davison Porter Project Director Business Improvement Districts Scotland Scottish Government Area 3J Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ Telephone 0131 244 4075 Mobile 0780 106 4733 email ian.davisonporter@bids-scotland.com Websitewww.bids-scotland.com