FORT WILLIAM GROUP SEEKS BID STATUS FOR TOWN CENTRE
A Fort William group is aiming to have the town recognised as a Business Improvement District (BID) in order to help develop trade and community engagement.
The Fort William BID Group, chaired by local businessman Archie MacDonald, has already received a £30,000 seedcorn grant from the Scottish Government to aid the project. It is now consulting with local businesses to outline further details.
Designed to aid community improvement, a BID is a business-led model in which businesses of a specific area or theme within a town collaborate on local improvements.
Businesses that sign up to the BID are charged a levy calculated on their size. The money is then used for mutually agreed aims to improve the business environment, with a government grant also available.
Fort William’s BID application is independent of the Fort William 2040 project, although Mr MacDonald notes they both support the same goal.
Mr MacDonald said: “It is great Fort William has been successful in raising £30,000 of seed bid funds from Scotland Towns Partnership. This will allow us to explore what benefits can be achieved, discuss with businesses and develop a plan for a full BID application.
“We have all been hearing about the success BIDs have been for other towns, not only what can be done with the funds raised, but also having a dedicated person with the remit to make sure things happen. It is clear that having a BID allows other money to be sourced to help the town, which would be brilliant.”
In order for Fort William’s BID application to be successful, it must gain support from the majority of businesses in the area through a vote. If the application passes, the BID will operate for five years.
A broader Lochaber BID proposal was rejected in 2014.
Oban received BID status in 2012, operating under the banner BID4Oban. Its aims include extending Oban’s tourist season, improving visitors’ first impressions of the town, and amplifying news about local events.
Annual business levies in Oban range from £150 to £5,000, creating a fund of £145,000. This has been used for schemes such as festivals, shopfront improvements, floral displays, Love Oban vouchers, and improved advertising of the area.
Andrew Spence, the chief executive of BID4Oban, said: “The BID has been a huge benefit for Oban over years, attracting a stream of funding. It has enabled us to trap cruise ship traffic, to keep it in the town. We wish Fort William every success, because it is highly beneficial for businesses in the town. We have offered any support for the start up.”
Consultation with businesses will make up much of the next step of the Fort William application, including deciding the scale of the district. This could take up to 18 months, although Mr MacDonald hopes to have the process complete in 2023.
Frazer Coupland, CEO of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, said: “Lochaber Chamber of Commerce is supportive of the BID exploration and the forthcoming work to understand the desire from businesses and the local community. This work will look to compliment the FW2040 masterplan vision, something that Lochaber Chamber of Commerce is heavily involved in and sits on the programme board, to look at improving Fort William High Street and waterfront for all.
“The BID process and system is a proven global method, and especially in Scotland, so why couldn’t this work in Fort William? Lochaber Chamber of Commerce will assist Archie and the BID committee, where asked or needed, to progress the exploration stage and look forward to progress and outcomes.”