News release
Scottish Parliament congratulates Bathgate as Scotland's first BID
Members of the Scottish Parliament were quick to praise Bathgate's achievement in becoming Scotland's first ever Business Improvement District (BID).
MSPs from across the political spectrum congratulated Bathgate on receiving the mandate to form the inaugural BID in Scotland and recognised the clear determination to succeed that exists within the town.
Participants in the debate included Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and West Lothian MSPs Mary Mulligan and Angela Constance as well as Elaine Murray MSP for Dumfries and Sarah Boyack MSP for Edinburgh Central.
Many of the debate's participants urged other Scottish towns and cities and rural communities to follow in Bathgate's footsteps in order to help ensure their future economic viability.
In Bathgate, a successful partnership between West Lothian Council and the business community through the Bathgate Traders Forum provided the foundation for the Enterprising Bathgate BID, and from the outset independent businesses were at the forefront of the BID proposal.
Out of 205 votes cast by local businesses, an overwhelming 190 supported the BID proposals, indicating a real endorsement by the business community of the BID concept.
This is the second highest ever approval rating for a BID. As a traditional Scottish town centre, this can only strengthen the concept of BIDs throughout Scotland.
During the parliamentary debate Jim Mather, The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism commented: " As others have said, the debate is not just about Bathgate. We have a solid framework of BIDs across Scotland, backed by practical and financial support.
" BIDs include Inverness city centre and Clackmannanshire business park. There is an interesting new sense of community collaboration in Clackmannanshire, where people are working together to cut operating costs.
" In both places, the BIDs are pioneering the involvement of property owners. More ballots are in the pipeline: in Falkirk and Edinburgh in May; and in Glasgow, Alloa and Dunfermline later in 2008. I know that the enthusiasm will grow further."
" BIDs give us the welcome prospect of seeing our town centres regenerate, with a particularly strong role for local firms that can help Scottish towns to recover their distinctiveness and personality, making them more compelling to visit and revisit.?
Business Improvement Districts are a proven business strategy around the world and can act as a key regeneration model for Scotland's towns, cities and more rural areas, helping to deliver sustainable economic growth.
Ian Davison Porter, Project Director, BIDS said: " As a traditional Scottish town, Bathgate has shown a way forward for all other towns in Scotland to follow, whether they are looking to regenerate or better asset manage their town centres.
" The BIDS Project Team deserve the congratulations, with overwhelming support and leadership from the local independent businesses they delivered the first BID in Scotland. A magnificent achievement."
Date: 29-04-2008