East Dunbartonshire Council has agreed to support the Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) through approving a business plan that could see over £450,000 of investment in the town centre over the next five years.

The Experience Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID) proposes to deliver a five-year action plan, developed by local businesses and Council officers, to improve access, accessibility and awareness of Milngavie as a retail, leisure and business destination.

Depute Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council Billy Hendry said: “This is a fantastic step forward for the business community of Milngavie and the Council would like to say well done to the Milngavie traders for putting themselves forward to develop the BID, which is a first for East Dunbartonshire.

“This is a great example of effective partnership working and the Council is committed to supporting other areas in developing a BID for their town centres. This is an innovative scheme that will bring real benefits through town centre regeneration and we look forward to rolling it out across the area.”

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The BID is led and funded by town centre businesses and seeks to generate £88,950, which equates to £444,750 over a five year period. BID projects will compliment services already delivered by East Dunbartonshire Council to further enhance the economic development of Milngavie town centre and as such, the Council will make an annual £5,000 voluntary contribution to support the BID.

The proposal incorporates activities across a range of themes. A minimum of five key events each year will take place including Scribbles, which will transform the town centre through stories in the windows of local businesses, a Christmas Fair, a Busking Festival, West Highland Way Week and an enhanced Milngavie Book and Arts Festival. The events and activities around the town will be promoted through a year long marketing campaign, an interactive website, a business newsletter and improved town centre signage.

Other benefits will include a business forum to generate a sustainable retail mix in the town centre, a town centre BID office to make the scheme accessible, improved public toilet facilities, a revamp of green space and a shop-front improvement scheme.

The BID will also support Strathclyde Police in trialling a ‘Fast Response’ programme and the management board will represent the views of the business community during future consultations on car park management in the town.

The Council’s Chief Executive, Gerry Cornes will write to the BID Steering Group this month to formally communicate the Council’s decision. Following this, the business plan, which incorporates feedback from consultation with town centre businesses and Milngavie shoppers, will be issued to local businesses on 17 August along with a ballot requesting that they vote before 29 September either in favour of or against the BID. The results will be declared on 6 October and, subject to a majority vote in favour of the business plan, a BID Company will then be formed to take the action plan forward.

(GK)