Essential Edinburgh News

Edinburgh to host inaugural British BIDs conference

15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The first national Business Improvement District (BID) conference – Opening up BIDs - will take place in Edinburgh on 4th and 5th February 2008. Organised by British BIDS, the conference is the first significant opportunity for BID experts and practitioners from across the UK to learn from each other to ensure our city and town centres have a vibrant future.

A key part of the conference will be a study tour of Edinburgh City Centre to demonstrate the need for the services and projects to capitalise on the untapped potential of Edinburgh City Centre, as proposed by the Essential Edinburgh BID. Essential Edinburgh will be the first BID in Edinburgh and businesses in other areas of the capital are already expressing an interest in developing further BIDs.

Ian Broadfoot of Edinburgh City Centre Management (ECCM), the company responsible for developing the Essential Edinburgh BID, says:

“The conference comes at an exciting time for the Essential Edinburgh BID as we are will be launching the final proposal for the BID in February. It is also an exciting time for BIDs in Scotland as, along with Edinburgh, a number are preparing to go to ballot. In addition, we are shortly expecting an announcement from Cabinet Secretary John Swinney on the Government’s support for future BIDs in Scotland”.

Dr Julie Grail, Chief Executive of British BIDs, says:

“We are delighted to be bringing our first Annual British BIDs Conference & Dinner to Scotland. We are sure that the two day event will prove of great interest to all those developing and running BIDs across the country and Edinburgh is a very fitting location for us”.

Ends

Notes to editors

There are currently 60 BIDS established in the UK with numerous other prospective BIDS underway.

For more information on the conference or BIDS, please go to www.britishbids.info/conference

The full Final Proposal for Essential Edinburgh will be available in February, with all eligible businesses in the proposed BID area receiving a summary. This will set out what the BID will deliver and how it will be managed.

The ballot papers will be sent out by 11 April and need to be returned by 23 May.

The result of the BID ballot will be announced on 26 May.

For further information on the Essential Edinburgh BID, please call Elinor Jayne, BID Development Manager, 0131 652 5943.

Edinburgh's First Business Improvement District Reaches Major Milestone

23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A key stage of the drive to deliver Edinburgh’s first Business Improvement District (BID) has been achieved today, with the publication of the Draft Business Plan and the launch of its distinctive brand identity: “Essential Edinburgh”.

In the event of a positive ballot next May, Essential Edinburgh will enhance the already distinctive Edinburgh City Centre by delivering services to a level of excellence befitting a capital city. These services will be designed to make the area the essential place to work, locate and visit. They will be delivered in line with business’ demand and eligible businesses will pay a levy which will fund these services.

Andrew Murphy, Managing Director of the John Lewis Partnership and Chair of Essential Edinburgh, says, “Businesses in all sectors have been asked for their views on how the area could be improved. It is fundamental to the BID concept that it be led by local business so I would urge all businesses in the Essential Edinburgh area to ensure that their views are included in the final Business Plan by providing us with feedback.”

David Wither, owner of Montpelier Group which runs Tigerlily, LuLu and the Opal Lounge on George Street, states: “I am keen to see the BID deliver services that look after our customers and staff and our business neighbours. It is time that all businesses in the area worked together and invested in services that will have a positive impact on our collective future”.

David Davidson of Cushman & Wakefield says, “With a professional interest in property, we have been strong supporters of the BID concept. The Essential Edinburgh proposal sets out a vision for our capital city and will focus investment on services of most importance to retailers, office occupiers and other sectors. More importantly, it will hopefully be the first step in building a longer term working partnership with city centre businesses and the local authority.”

ENDS

The Draft Business Plan can be found on this website in the Info & Resources section.

BID area survey results published

30 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The findings of the survey of businesses in the BID area on their views on how the area could be improved are now available.

Surveys of employees, visitors and non-visitors to the area were also carried out and a number of issues were highlighted. These included accessibility and security.

The full report is available in the resources section of this website.

BID Board makes key decisions on levy

29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The BID Advisory Board has taken the decision that the levy that will be charged to businesses in the event of a successful BID ballot will be 1% of rateable value. This will apply to businesses in all sectors.

At it's second meeting, the Board also decided that an agreement with shopping centre owners would be sought whereby they would pay the equivalent of 0.5% of the total rateable value of their properties. If agreements can be achieved, shopping centre tenants would then be levied 0.5% of their rateable value. Shopping centre tenants would be treated differently to other businesses in the BID area because they already pay service charges to fund the management of their centres.

The next meeting of the Board, due to take place by the end of September, will see the Draft Business Plan for the BID being finalised. This will then be sent out to businesses for further consultation.

Plans for Capital's first BID receive further boost

22 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Proposals to launch a new city centre business partnership designed to strengthen the Edinburgh economy were given a major boost today, as it was announced that the head of one of the city's major retailers will lead the group.

Andrew Murphy, Managing Director of John Lewis plc Edinburgh, will assume the role of Chair of the Business Improvement District (BID) Shadow Board with immediate effect.

Edinburgh City Centre Management Company (ECCM) is currently working to introduce the BID, which will be put to the business vote in 2008. Andrew’s appointment is a major step forward for their campaign.

A well-respected and active member of the Edinburgh business community, Andrew has a firm commitment to and belief in the BID concept, saying:

"I am delighted to be taking a leading role in the establishment of Edinburgh's first Business Improvement District. BIDs have proved to be hugely successful in the USA and England, generating significant improvements in the quality of city centre environments, which in turn translate into increased revenues for member businesses.

Edinburgh’s city centre BID will provide the business community with an independent, results oriented vehicle for liaising with the public sector on key city centre issues. Most importantly though it will deliver a number of additional services for the benefit of both the businesses and their customers alike."

David Nicolson, Chairman of ECCM, the independent, not-for-profit company driving the first Edinburgh BID in the city centre, said:

"The first Edinburgh BID represents a truly unique opportunity for city centre businesses to invest in their collective future, a concept that ECCM has been advocating since inception in 2000.

It is a great coup for the project to have attracted a business leader of Andrew's calibre and I wish him every success in the role."

Ian Broadfoot, City Centre Manager with ECCM, added:

"Andrew will prove to be an excellent choice as Chair of the BID, bringing with him extensive knowledge and experience of the Edinburgh business community and a genuine determination to see the project succeed and deliver tangible benefits for city centre businesses."

Andrew Murphy’s appointment coincides with the launch of a new Edinburgh BID website at www.edinburghbid.com

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Support for Edinburgh Business Improvement District Grows

29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

HBOS plc has recently become the first private sector sponsor of the Edinburgh Business Improvement District (BID) being proposed by Edinburgh City Centre Management. It is the first time that HBOS has given financial support to the development of a BID.

Roger Littlewood, Head of Rating & Property Taxation for HBOS Group Property, said:

“HBOS plc, and the business community in general, have experienced significant benefit from the established BID locations in England & Wales. We are confident that the proposed Edinburgh BID will also deliver in every respect, which is why we are pledging our support to the BID campaign. Naturally, we are keen to support business generation in our home city and consider that the creation and establishment of the first Edinburgh BID will not only sustain, but also enhance, the trading environment within the city”.

Ian Broadfoot, City Centre Manager, said:

“I am delighted that HBOS have come on board as the Edinburgh BID’s first sponsor. Their strong endorsement adds weight and credibility to ECCM’s proposals. It is also extremely encouraging news that the Council has committed to backing ECCM’s work in developing the proposed BID. The success of BIDs in England has highlighted what can be possible when a true partnership approach is taken.”

Ewan Aitken, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said:

“The city centre is Edinburgh’s heart and we must all play our part in making sure it is a thriving, bustling place that attracts new firms and development.

“Working together with business will make a real difference in moving forward and the Council is committed to supporting the development of the first ever BID. I look forward to seeing the proposals that emerge from discussions with the business community for this BID and the development of others that will follow.”

END

New BID to Improve Edinburgh City Centre

25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The development of a pilot Business Improvement District (BID) for Edinburgh City Centre took another step forward today.

Tom McCabe, Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, met representatives of the Edinburgh BID team at the Scottish Parliament in advance of the launch of a range of publicity and information materials.

Since August, Edinburgh City Centre Management (ECCM) have been working with businesses to establish how a BID could potentially address issues affecting the performance of businesses in all sectors in the city centre. A local BID development manager, Elinor Jayne, has been appointed to work closely with local businesses and Ian Davidson Porter, BIDS project director for Scotland.

Increasingly popular worldwide, a BID is led by the private sector working closely with statutory authorities. The aim is to improve the business environment and promote economic growth. A BID covers a precisely defined geographical area - of a town, city, commercial district or rural area - where business and commercial property ratepayers vote to invest collectively in local improvements which are additional to those delivered by statutory authorities.
In Edinburgh’s case the BID area is likely to cover a significant part of the city centre.
Edinburgh is one of six BID pilot areas in Scotland - the others cover:
·    Bathgate town centre
·    Clackmannanshire business parks;
·    Falkirk town centre;
·    Glasgow city centre; and
·    Inverness city centre.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Finance and Public Services Tom McCabe said:

"Edinburgh will be one of the first areas in Scotland to have a Business Improvement District. We have backed this innovative pilot project with £50,000 of funding as there is no doubt BIDS has the potential to be an extremely powerful tool to regenerate town and city centres and boost economic growth.

"I was delighted to meet Ian Broadfoot and Elinor Jayne from the BID team at ECCM and Jane Wood of the ECCM board and local business partner Rochelle Weir of St James Shopping and Multrees Walk. I highlighted my support for this local project and wish it every success.

"I hope businesses in Edinburgh will find BIDS a useful tool. BIDS can deliver a tangible return to businesses in the shape of improved services and I have no doubt those improved local services can help deliver improved economic performance."

Rochelle Weir, Manager of St James Shopping and Multrees Walk, said:

“It is really important to retailers in the city centre to be able to offer a competitive edge over out-of-town locations and other town and city destinations. The BID could allow funding of events and marketing that will encourage higher level and longer use of the city centre, ultimately increasing spend in shops in the city centre. A BID is also an opportunity for retailers to engage with other sectors in the city centre to offer a wider package than just shopping and would also be a key way of engaging with the local authority to ensure that we are all striving for the same aim: a thriving city centre.”

Douglas Gorman, Finance Director of the Northern Lighthouse Board, said:

“The Northern Lighthouse Board has been located in the centre of Edinburgh since 1834 and has enjoyed the benefits of this central location. We would like a BID in Edinburgh City Centre to deliver improved security and sharing of information between businesses. It is very important that Edinburgh City Centre is seen as a good place to work, so transport access for the business community, cleanliness and increased perceptions of safety are important issues that should be addressed by a BID, to maintain a vibrant city centre. This would be a constructive move to help the business community and make a positive statement for Edinburgh.”

Elinor Jayne said:

“A BID in Edinburgh City Centre has the potential to make the city more competitive against other locations. Benefits can include increased sales in shops and the leisure industry, reduced retail crime and less anti-social behaviour – making the area a better place for businesses, staff and visitors.”

“Such benefits can help businesses attract and retain staff, as well as drawing additional visitors which, in turn, benefits hotels, pubs and clubs - particularly outside the festival season.”

ECCM has met with an initial cross section of businesses from the city centre. Elinor emphasised that most businesses have expressed the view that if they can genuinely control how the money is spent, and if the Council not only maintains but increases its commitment to the city centre, they would vote for a BID. The resulting business plan for the BID will be driven by businesses’ needs.

ENDS