Go Ahead for Inverness Business Improvement District
Inverness businesses have voted to play a leading role in the transformation of the city centre by creating a Business Improvement District (BID). The yes vote makes Inverness the first city in the world to incorporate property owners as well as businesses in a BID - a move expected to be copied elsewhere.
Businesses and property owners in Inverness have been voting for the last two months following a hugely successful pilot project that brought the city the first Inverness winter festival and ice-rink.
The new BID will become operational from 1st April 2008, when all businesses and property owners will pay a levy that goes towards improvement projects. The projects will be driven by the directors of the new Inverness BID company who will be elected by local businesses.
Garek Begg, of Begg Shoes and Bags and Chairman of Inverness BID Steering Group, said: "Our aim is to make the city more easily accessible and attractive in the public eye, and we'll achieve this by making it amongst other things a cleaner and safer place to do business.
"Our business plan was developed by local business people and with the BID now a reality, we must grasp this opportunity, get all businesses engaged and press forward with implementing the improvements in it."
The Inverness BID is the second of six Scottish pilots to announce its ballot result with Bathgate announcing its result last week, Clackmannanshire announcing later this month and the Falkirk and Edinburgh BID votes taking place in April and May respectively. Glasgow's ballot follows later in the year.
Councillor Provost Bob Wynd, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, said: “It is a great credit to our local business community that they are amongst the first in the country to have seized the opportunity BIDs provide. Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and the vibrant heart of our community. Our new BID will allow businesses, property owners and public services to work together. This close partnership will make sure we are all pulling in the same direction: working hard to make sure Inverness is a great place for businesses and customers alike."