BID4Oban’s next five-year plan
FOLLOWING the successful ballot, businesses in Oban have provided BID4Oban with a resounding mandate to carry on for another five-year term.
Over its first term, the BID (Business Improvement District) has been involved in numerous projects to enhance Oban both environmentally and as a destination to visit by working in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, Oban and Lorn Tourism Association and Oban Live.
The BID is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the businesses in the town by collecting a levy from eligible companies to ensure that events and other projects are financed and in return ensuring the town promotes a vibrant and sustainable place to undertake business and attract additional visitors.
Recently the BID has funded the painting of railings and bollards throughout the town. The response from this has been very positive with many comments made as to how good Argyll Square is looking. The project was extended to include bollards and railings throughout the town centre.
Along with the 200-plus hanging baskets that BID4Oban provides, this has a significant visual impact for visitors and townsfolk. The BID has also facilitated wifi in the town centre with plans to extend this in the near future.
BID4Oban is the envy of other towns and recently has had approaches from three similar sized burghs which want help and advice in setting up their own BID. Over the next five-year term, BID4Oban will continue to promote the town in partnership with numerous organisations. It will also take on additional responsibilities – for example, from 2018 it is likely it will be responsible for all Christmas lights in Oban. This will be achieved via grants from the council.
BID4Oban is working with the Port of Oban Cruise Group to ensure that the town benefits from the ever-increasing numbers of cruise ships visiting the bay. The key objective is to ensure we keep these visitors within the town visiting the various attractions.
BID4Oban ambassadors will continue to engage with the numerous visitors to the town, giving them a warm and informative welcome. Having a BID in the town ensures that all businesses, no matter what size, have a single point of contact in which to air their views, promote ideas and gain support in lobbying the authorities on issues that affect their operations. Among these issues are parking, congestion, cleanliness and the ability of the town to attract new investors and employers.
The BID is working with external organisations to ensure we have a sustainable pool of labour that is fit for the future through the Developing Young Workforce initiative.
Over coming weeks, BID4Oban will publish its six-month operating plan aligned to its recently published business plan sent to all levy-payers. It is proposed to use the operating plan to ensure the BID communicates with its 500-plus levy-payers about what is happening in the town.
Having an operating plan ensures the BID can adapt to various changes that face the town. Key to the success of the next term of the BID will be an enhanced communication strategy to ensure everyone in Oban knows what the BID is doing. This will involve an enhanced website with a business directory for levy-payers and greater use made of social media.
BID4Oban is keen to attract new board members to contribute new ideas and ways of working. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact BID4Oban in Stevenson Street. For more information, please visit the website www.bid4oban.co.uk or visit our Facebook page.