The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Traders toast Bid ballot landslide
Civic pride: Local companies will now pay levy to finance community improvements
BUSINESS leaders have hailed a new united front in Inverurie as traders overwhelmingly backed plans to band together to breathe new life into the town.
A whopping 87% of firms voted to launch the business improvement district (Bid), known as We Are Inverurie, at a ballot in the Garioch Heritage Centre yesterday.
Ballot papers from 125 businesses, based in the main streets of the town centre, were collected over the past
seven days. There were 16 votes against the proposals, which have been on the table for the past three years.
Each business will now contribute a levy to the scheme, with the organisation investing £100,000 each year until 2022.
Barry Sangster, co-owner of Inspire Flooring, was among the traders who threw his weight behind the plans.
However, he admitted he was not always a supporter of the concept.
“I didn’t think it was something that would be possible,” he said.
“But after speaking to
“Volunteers are the unsung heroes for their effort in keeping the streets looking nice”
some local business people I got an insight into the amount of investment there’s going to be coming in, as well as the volunteer groups that will be coming in to help.
“It’s a great opportunity for the businesses in Inverurie to work together with the volunteer groups,” added Mr Sangster.
“They are the real unsung heroes for the effort they put into keeping the streets looking nice, with hanging baskets and flower displays and so on.
“This will take a lot of the pressure off of them,” added the business owner.
Mr Sangster thanked the Press and Journal for getting behind the Bid campaign.
A new Bid company will be formed by August 23 along with a board of directors to replace the current steering group.
The first major event for the newly-formed group will be the Pride of Inverurie Awards on August 25.
Ashley Wilson, Bid co-ordinator, said she was overwhelmed by the result.
She said: “It feels like a concrete slab has been taken from my shoulders, I just could not believe it. This will ensure Inverurie remains firmly on the map.
“We’re keen to see businesses get a quick return for their investment and we have got the Pride of Inverurie Awards, that’s the first big event and that’s to build momentum and get a bit of a civic pride in Inverurie.”
The area’s MP said the Bid would help the town cement its place as a tourist hotspot.
Colin Clark, Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon, said: “This was a resounding victory for the We Are Inverurie project and I am delighted to see such a positive response from local businesses.
“I think most people will agree that the real work starts now.
“It is a great opportunity to cement Inverurie’s growing reputation as a major destination.
“By working together, businesses can help improve the town centre, fill vacant shop units and make Inverurie an even more attractive place to come and visit.”