Alloa's Town Centre BID is the first to be awarded £15,000 of funding from the Scottish Government for the development of a Business Improvement District (BID).

In another first, Alloa will also be the first of the 'new' BIDs to go to ballot in the middle of October.

The Scottish Government hopes that this funding will give essential backing to groups in towns, villages and cities that come forward with a convincing set of proposals to make it easier to do business locally using the BID framework.

The Alloa BID involves businesses from a wide range of sectors including independent and multiple retailers, dentists, lawyers, pubs and restaurants. The BID team has had an overwhelmingly positive response from businesses in the area, all wanting to play their part in the reinvigoration of Alloa town centre.

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Businesses are keen for a BID to be established as they believe this will help to boost economic growth.

The feedback from businesses in Alloa is that the Scottish economy is still growing and that they all feel positive about the future. They believe that achieving BID status for Alloa town centre will go a long way in helping deliver sustainable and quantifiable economic growth.

Brian Blackburn, BID Project Manager said: "During our discussions with businesses across all sectors, the message we are receiving is that while the economic climate may be difficult in other areas of the UK, the economy in Scotland is in good shape.

"There is a very positive outlook in the town, and a real commitment to developing a successful BID that will benefit local business, shoppers and visitors."

Andrew Mitchell, BID Project Leader added: "Businesses want to take ownership and responsibility for their own trading environment - after all, who is better placed to understand what business needs at this localised level than businesses themselves?"

(GK/JM)