The first BID was established, approximately fifty-five years ago, in Bloor West Village, Toronto, Canada, by the district’s business community. The district’s businesses were increasingly coming under pressure from new enclosed shopping malls being developed outside their area, diverting shoppers away from the traditional shopping area. As a result, some businesses were forced to cease trading and the area began to look tired and neglected.

To stop the haemorrhage of deserting shoppers, local businesses fought back to revitalise the area. They successfully lobbied for legislation for all the businesses, in the proposed BID area, to pay a levy. The levy money was used to improve the physical appearance of the area, and then promote the district as a vibrant, attractive and safe place to work, shop and live. The strategy paid off and shoppers started to return to the district in large numbers.

The success of the Bloor West Village BID paved the way for future BIDs, not only in Toronto; but spreading throughout Canada, and the USA in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Today there are well over 1800 successful BIDs worldwide.

An additional measure of BIDs success is in the renewal process. Most BIDs run for a period of five years with the vast majority continuing, for consecutive terms, when they come up for renewal. Currently, since 2008, there are 33 operational BIDs in Scotland with a further 20 in development which clearly demonstrates that businesses value the projects and services that are delivered by the BIDs.

BIDs can support regeneration, grow local economies, create local employment and create a cleaner, safer trading environment. A key element to their success is that the local businesses take ownership and responsibility for their trading environment, identifying the projects necessary to resolve common problems and issues, and overseeing their implementation, whilst also contributing to the future direction of the town and its future development.

BID legislation was passed in Scotland in 2006 with the Scottish Government funding 6 pilot projects in March 2006. The Scottish Government fully supports the development of BIDs in Scotland.

Business Improvement Districts are driven by participating businesses – who work together to draw up a business plan which is voted on and, if agreed, is then funded through a levy based on business ratable values, as well as trying to lever in additional funding where possible for investment into the delivery of projects for the benefit of businesses. This levy is collected by the council and paid directly to the Business Improvement District company. This is a not-for-profit company which will be set up by the businesses and will be accountable to the businesses within the town to manage the business improvement district business plan. The benefits of the Kirkintilloch Business Improvement District in a time where business are facing

rising costs of energy bills alongside the cost of living crisis is the need for businesses to work together for a better future has never been greater.

The benefits of a BID do not just come from the ability to deliver projects and services from a guaranteed budget but come from the collective influence of the businesses in the BID area. Influence to change perceptions about a place, of potential visitors to the town that it has something different, of new businesses that they will get a return on their investment if they come to the town and of residents that they have pride in the place once again. The influence of the collective voice of businesses working together also translates into productive relationships and outcomes, when working with other organisation’s such as the local authorities, the local economic partnership and the Police, to meet the businesses’ needs. Kirkintilloch needs to redefine itself and build on its strengths as being a compact town, full of beautiful buildings with a feeling of inclusiveness and welcome to all. Because of the research and consultation with businesses, this proposal reflects the clearly stated view that Kirkintilloch has a lot to offer as a town and businesses have recognised that this is an important opportunity to develop Kirkintilloch’s identity and raise its profile for the benefit of all businesses.

View The Business Plan