Businesses across Oban are celebrating the official first day of the town’s new Business Improvement District (BID) - the UK’s first ‘whole town’ BID.
The five year scheme, which will generate £840,000+ towards improving the local trading environment, formally came into operation today.
It is the first UK BID ever to use a town’s entire 30mph speed limit zone as its boundary.
The Oban Bid Company has organised a launch event for next Tuesday night, to bring businesses and its key partners in delivering Oban improvements up to speed on the BID and its management arrangements.
The launch will be held at Oban’s Royal Hotel on Tuesday 6th November. Those attending are encouraged to arrive at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Among the announcements on the night will be the names of the individuals who have been nominated to the BID company’s Board of Directors. If there are more nominations than there are places on the Board (a total of 10), a meeting will be held at which the contested places will be decided by vote.
Another key announcement will be how local businesses which are exempt from paying the BID levy – either because they are too small or because their premises are outwith the BID boundary – can subscribe to become Associate Members of the new company.
Graham MacQueen, who led the BID4Oban steering group and is now chair of the shadow Board, said he hoped that both levy payers and potential Associate Members would go along and hear the latest on the scheme.
He particularly encourages representatives of Oban businesses which are exempt from paying the levy to attend: ‘This event not only marks the official start of the BID company, but also provides the first opportunity for key partners across all sectors to come together in a collective forum to meet each other and learn more about the plans for rolling out this ground breaking project.
‘The topics covered will include the activities and projects the BID will address in its first year, the shop frontage grant scheme, the sub-groups of the Board and how to get involved in them, membership and voluntary subscription and payment of the levy.
‘We will also be starting a dialogue with those present on how best they think BID4Oban can work with them to secure the future sustainability of Oban as a key business and tourism hub.
‘I am confident that the information provided on the night will show Oban’s business community that the BID company has appropriate and robust management arrangements in place and is ready to hit the ground running in order to make the very most of the fantastic opportunity this scheme presents.’
Management posts
The BID company is currently advertising for a BID Manager and an Event Manager.
Job descriptions, person specifications and the BID4Oban’s full five year business plan are available to view here at the BID4Oban website.
Anyone interested in applying should send a CV and covering letter to John Forteith, Director, Shadow BID4Oban Board, BID4Oban Ltd, c/o CGL Ltd, 15 Lochside Street, Oban PA34 4HP, to arrive no later than Thursday November 8 2012.
Applications can also be made by email to info@bid4oban.co.uk
All the latest comments (including yours) straight to your mailbox, everyday! Click here to subscribe.