Massive Vote in Favour of New BID Five Year Term!
Issued by BID
The result of the BID Second Term Ballot for Inverness Business Improvement District was announced today with the city centre businesses recording a massive vote of 77% in favour (up from 73%) of BID continuing for a further 5 years.
Declaration of results
Inverness BID was the first BID to be created in Scotland in March 2008 and today’s result was announced at the Mercure Hotel by Ballot Holder, Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council and independent scrutineer for Electoral Reform Services London.
BID Chairman, Craig Duncan said “I am delighted with today’s result and to achieve an increased level of support in today’s difficult economic climate is a massive endorsement for the work that BID has undertaken over the past 5 years. It is also good that nearly 50% of city centre businesses took the time to vote (up from 34% in 2008) which shows their interest in the work we do.
“Our mission when BID set out in April 2008 was to deliver a series of projects and services to improve the trading environment of Inverness City Centre to the benefit of the City Centre economy, the levy paying businesses, their customers, clients and visitors.”
“Our focus for the next 5 years for the city centre will continue to be to work to improve the economy of the city centre through the themes of advocacy, marketing, amenity, safety and business development.”
“BID is truly a member’s organisation electing our voluntary directors drawn from the 4 main business sectors of retail, hospitality, office & property owners.”
He added, “We must now look to the future and build on what already has been achieved. Our Business Plan 2013-18 sets out the vision for BID’s Second Term and we look forward to working with the local businesses, The Highland Council and HIE as the other major city centre stakeholders, over the next 5 years to re-energise the city centre.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry welcomed a second term result for Inverness BID he said: “BID, as an organisation representing its member businesses, has achieved a lot in its initial term. We share the same ambitions for an economically successful Inverness city centre. BID are good for the city and good for the wider Highlands as a drivers for the City Region. I welcome the BID vote for a further 5 year term and look forward to the work that can be done in partnership with the Council. Together we can dramatically improve our City.”
Information on Inverness BID and its Business Plan 2013-18 is available from http://www.invernessbid.co.uk/ or by contacting Inverness BID