New city BID vote is looming

Deadline approaching

A vote on a proposal to set up a Business Improvement District in Stirling closes on Tuesday at 5pm.

Members of Go Forth steering group, who are promoting the move, have been busy encouraging city centre businesses to get their vote in before the deadline.

Eligible city centre shops and firms have had since May 23 to cast their vote on the proposal and business plan which aims to increase prosperity and footfall.

If the move is agreed, it will mean a levy on most traders in the BID area with the resulting cash used to fund projects outlined in the business plan.

An earlier attempt to set up a BID in Stirling failed in 2015 when businesses voted down the proposal

Go Forth spokesman Dave Gowen said: “We are still out visiting businesses in-person and telephoning to ensure they have sent in their papers.

“This is a real opportunity for businesses to shape the future of Stirling’s city centre and we don’t want anyone to miss out on voting.

“I would urge anyone who has not yet returned their ballot papers to do so as soon as possible.”

Among projects included in the business plan, which can be downloaded from the Go Forth website, are free city centre WiFi, Land Train and a group buy initiative designed to save businesses money on goods and services they buy.

Voting continues across the proposed BID area until July 4 and any business which wants more information or would like to discuss the proposals can contact Mr Gowen by emailing david@GoForthStirling. co.uk

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 £187.50 a year, and businesses with a rateable value of £20,000 will have to fork out £250 every 12 months.

Assuming the BID is agreed and traders pay the required levy, it will generate £1.6 million over the five-year period in which the BID is in force before a new vote has to be taken.