Go Forth Stirling compile their plan

Following their consultations with traders, Go Forth Stirling are now compiling a business plan which is due to go to BID Scotland for approval later this month.

Scottish Ministers and Stirling Council are expected to scrutinise the business plan in March prior to the issue of ballot papers in May.

Businesses have between May 9 and June 20 to vote and the result is expected to be announced between June 21 and June 27.

Go Forth have been drawing up proposals for the business plan based on feedback from two surveys and conversations with traders.

Their`big ideas’to improve footfall are likely to include free wi-fi across the city centre area, a land train which runs around town and a programme of events, markets and festivals.

Other measures to make Stirling cleaner, reduce trade waste and increase recycling have also been put forward.

Go Forth say they would like to assist BID companies with training opportunities and use the collective purchasing power of businesses within the scheme to deliver savings in key areas.

If the BID is approved, traders can expect to pay each year no more than one and quarter per cent of their rateable value.

Of the 560 businesses within the Stirling BID area, about 160 with rateable values of £10,000 or less will pay nothing. Those whose rateable value is £15,000 can expect to pay £187 a year, and businesses with a rateable value of £20,000 will have to fork out £250 every 12 months.

Go Forth steering committee chairman Peter Betts, store manager of Debenhams in The Thistles Shopping Centre, Stirling, said all businesses would pay the same percentage levy. Unlike the last vote there was to be no banded rates offering larger businesses a lower percentage rate.

“He added:“Debenhams’rateable value is just short of £1million and we would have paid £5000 if the last ballot had been successful. If this new ballot is successful, we will pay £12,500 which I am pleased to do.”

Assuming the BID is agreed and traders pay the required levy, it will generate £325,000 a year over the five-year period in which the BID is in force before a new vote has to be taken.

Go Forth insist with the backing of the levy cash they will be able to tap into other forms of finance.

However, the BID proposal will only be approved if there is a 25 per cent turnout by headcount and rateable value, over 50 per cent of those who vote back the scheme, and the `yes’ vote represents over 50 per cent of the rateable value of the votes cast.

Following a successful ballot, a not-for-profit company will be set up with a board of up to 12 directors whose job it will be to make sure the projects outlined in the business plan are implemented.

It was estimated at the meeting that 20 per cent of the levy was likely to be spent on the employment of a BID manager, on a salary of between £40,000 and £50,000 a year, and an administrator.