BUSINESSES are being invited to join Stirling’s Business Improvement District (BID) as part of a voluntary levy scheme.
Business owners who are not automatically enrolled as a member – because they have a rateable value under £10K or are based outwith the city centre BID zone – can opt in if they want to sign up and benefit from its varied services.
By paying a fee of £125 per year for the duration of the BID term, if based in Stirling city centre, or 1.25% of their rateable value if not, traders can access BID initiatives such as free online training programmes, membership of Retailers Against Crime and the opportunity to apply for grant schemes.
Laura McClintock runs the Nevermore Tattoo & Piercing Studio with her husband John and became a voluntary member of Go Forth Stirling BID earlier this year.
She has since benefited from a £5K ‘Supercharged’ Shop front Improvement grant which has transformed the look of her Friars Street shop.
She said: “We’ve always supported the BID and think it’s a great way of bringing businesses together and connecting everyone.
“We were pleased to join as voluntary levy payers and delighted to be successful in applying for a shop front grant.
“The studio frontage was badly in need of a facelift as the wood panels and door were becoming rotten and all that has been replaced and repainted now. This was a real boost for us and our business and something we wouldn’t have been able to do without the grant.”
Laura also benefits from her involvement in BID activities such as the annual Business Awards Night and the footfall-boosting trails and events the organisation regularly runs.
She said: “I like feeling part of the business community and the BID Ambassadors drop in regularly to let us know what’s happening around the town. They are always organising something and we do enjoy being part of things – we’ll be dressing the shop up for Hallowe’en which is my favourite time of the year.
“The Awards Nights have been a great experience too where we’ve connected with other business owners who we probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.
“Being a voluntary member has certainly been worthwhile for us and I would advise other shops who are under the threshold to sign up too.
“I just feel that the BID brings everyone together as a business community, unites us and shows us we are not on our own. We are all in this together and it’s good to have the BID to support us and to help us support each other.”
Stirling Distillery is also a voluntary levy payer and General Manager Elle McCann welcomes the networking opportunities and local events which the BID delivers.
She said: “The BID often organises marketing campaigns and events aimed at attracting more visitors and locals to the area which can lead to increased footfall and a real boost to our business’s visibility and sales.
“And as a levy payer, we’ve been featured in BID promotions, newsletters and social media campaigns providing valuable exposure.”
Elle, who is also a member of the BID board, added: “Being part of the BID connects us with other local businesses – creating opportunities for collaboration, joint promotions and shared initiatives.
“It also gives us the chance to be more involved in community initiatives, fostering a positive reputation and stronger ties with local residents and other businesses.”
Go Forth Stirling BID Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “We’re always pleased to welcome voluntary levy members like Nevermore Tattoo and Stirling Distillery and would urge anyone who would like to get involved to contact us for a chat.
“There are so many benefits which can be accessed on becoming a member and the BID also acts as a collective voice for the business community representing traders on issues concerning them and working to solve the challenges which everyone faces.”
There are 37 active BIDs in Scotland each working to deliver projects specific to their business community’s needs.
In Stirling, the Go Forth team represents around 600 business owners with a key objective of increasing visitors to the city and devising initiatives to help make it a more welcoming destination.
Initiatives include the Stirling Business Awards, footfall-boosting events and trails such as the Mini-Olympics and BRICKLIVE exhibitions, the annual winter lights, free public Wi-Fi in the city centre and the Independent Stirling campaign.
Meanwhile, members can access a range of benefits including an extensive online training platform, digital and shop front grant schemes and use of the SentrySIS crime-fighting tool for reporting shoplifting and other antisocial behaviour.
Business owners pay an annual fee related to the size of their premises and the BID can access matched funding and grant schemes to support its projects and services.
The voluntary membership scheme means any business outwith the BID zone, but within the Stirling Council area, can become a member by paying a yearly levy linked to their rateable value.
Meanwhile, city centre businesses with a rateable value of less than £10,000 have the option to join by paying a flat £125 annual fee.
For more information visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
