Milngavie BID business plan released
The business plan for the Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) has gone live today, which could lead to almost half a million pounds invested in a marketing campaign over five years.
The Experience Milngavie BID plans will lead to an income of £470,000 to be invested into Milngavie town centre, which will be used for events such as the Book and Arts Festival; West Highland Week and the Christmas Fair and Lights.
Other objectives put forward by the five-year business plan include creating a marketing campaign to run throughout the year; creating and operating a new and interactive website; and introducing a regular newsletter.
Ballots for the BID will now be given to business owners and shoppers in the Milngavie area. The ballot will be deemed successful if both over 50% of businesses by number and over 50% by combined rateable value of those that vote to be in favour of the BID. There also needs to be a minimum turnout of 25% of eligible voters before the BID can go ahead.
If it is passed, businesses will pay a levy which will be put back into the area. Last month, East Dunbartonshire Council agreed to support the BID, and said it would make an annual £5,000 voluntary contribution.
Ian Lavrie, chairman of the Milngavie BID steering group, told The Drum that he thought the BID could help give Milngavie and independence: “It will control the destiny of what happens to the town centre, make us not dependent on the council.”
As part of the pre-ballot it is planned to run a unique event within the Milngavie BID area. This event, called ‘Scribbles’ is designed to demonstrate what could be expected from the BID if the ballot were to be successful.
For a two week period in September short stories, poems and other literary contributions will be displayed in shop front windows – encouraging visitors to stop and read the contributions – and at the same time encouraging them to look at what the business has to offer. The event will be promoted via a dedicated leaflet and banners along with a PR campaign and via the BID businesses.
At the time of writing, it was not known whether or not the marketing campaign for the area would be put to tender.