In a ballot which closed at 5.00pm this evening [5th October], Oban businesses have voted overwhelmingly to create Scotland’s first ‘whole town’ Business Improvement District (BID) in the town.
The initiative will encompass Oban’s entire 30mph speed limit zone.
Unsurprisingly, the news was met with jubilation by those who have campaigned for several years to establish such a scheme.
Foremost among them was Graham MacQueen, chair of the BID4Oban Steering Group which drew up the five year business plan following consultation with all eligible businesses. He says: ‘This is a landmark day in the future of our town, and I’m thrilled that business owners across Oban have given the BID their vote of confidence.
”Ploughing a minimum of £840,000 into our trading environment over the next few years is no longer just an aspiration. It’s a reality. That’s something I think the whole town should be very excited about.
‘BID co-ordinator Pauline Cameron deserves particular mention, because without her efforts and perseverance we would never have got to this point. She has been absolutely central to this project and I know I speak for every member of the Steering Group when I say how grateful we are to her for professionalism and efficiency throughout the process.
‘I would also like to personally thank the hard core of Steering Group members who have stuck with this proposal through thick and thin. There have been some challenging times along the way, but they never wavered in their conviction that this would be a positive move for Oban and I’m delighted that their perseverance and dedication has paid off.
‘This ballot represented a unique opportunity for Oban’s business community to take their future into its own hands. That’s a challenge it has now shown it’s prepared to take on.
The BID will make a real and lasting difference to our town. I very much look forward to being a part of it.
Ballot results
The ballot results announced tonight show:
- 90% of the votes cast (by number) were in favour of the BID
- 89% of the votes cast (by rateable value) were in favour of the BID
- total number of votes cast was 246
- 49% turnout by number
- 57% turnout by rateable value
BID4Oban Limited
The scheme will officially get going on 31st October when an Oban BID company, BID4Oban Limited, will come into operation to run for a period of five years.
Nominations will be invited from all Levy payers for the new BID company’s board of directors, with letters going out within the next week explaining the next steps.
The BID will involve every business with a rateable value property of £3,000 or over within its boundary paying a modest but compulsory annual Levy towards a range of projects and services designed to boost the local economy and have far reaching benefits for the wider community.
These amount to more than 20 separate commitments, set down in the BID’s five year Business Plan.
Among them are a £60,000 business frontage grants scheme, a £90,000 new ‘out of season’ events/festivals budget, a £50,000 marketing grant scheme focused on promoting family activities and a total of £80,000 on new decorative street lighting.
The BID is committed to ensuring that even Oban’s smallest businesses, whose properties do not meet the Levy criteria, will have the opportunity to have their voices heard. The BID team has already signalled its intention to invite small businesses, exempted organisations and those operating outside its boundary, who wish to support positive changes to the town, to become BID associate members through making a voluntary subscription.
Graham MacQueen says – and you can hear the elation in his words: : ‘The more who would like to have their say in how the BID progresses, the better, No-one will be excluded from being able to play their part in transforming our town.
‘This is the first BID in Scotland to encompass the entire 30mph speed limit zone of its host town or city. So – given that even the smallest enterprises will be encouraged to join up – it’s the first in the country which genuinely promises to involve and include all businesses in a town regardless of their size, trading sector or geographical location.
‘This is a momentous decision for Oban, and promises to kick start a robust new phase in the town’s trading history overseen by a committed, engaged business community.’
The plans and the political responses
It has taken more than two years for the BID to be developed and the ballot completed.
In its initial stages, the BID4Oban team devoted several months to consulting with all businesses within the proposed BID boundary. Their views on the key issues formed the basis of the six objectives on which the Business Plan is based, which are:
- Making the best first impression by improving the physical environment
- Co-ordinating a programme of events and festivals throughout the year
- Increasing the number of events to extend the season
- Maximising the town’s assets to attract more visitors
- Bringing businesses together to speak with one voice
- Improving accessibility and parking
The scheme has already won all-party support from both local and national politicians.
Argyll and Bute Council leader, Councillor Roddy McCuish, says that Oban businesses has now set a benchmark to which other towns and communities across the region could aspire. ‘What this ballot has shown isn’t just that Oban businesses care about their trading environment and would like to improve it.
‘It also shows that they’re prepared to put their hands in their pockets and join forces to work together in order to achieve the very best that they can for themselves, each other and the town as a whole.
‘I’d like to congratulate all those who have worked so hard to see this plan come to fruition. Their dedication and commitment has ensured that Oban can now embark on a new course, developed and steered by the local businesses themselves.
‘This is the first BID to be rolled out in Argyll and Bute, and I am confident it won’t be the last. Those in the pipeline will now have the benefit of seeing how the Oban project progresses and the benefits it brings – not just to local businesses but to the town as a whole.
‘Argyll and Bute Council is delighted to be a part of this groundbreaking scheme, and we look forward to working with the new BID Company to ensure that it secures the maximum possible return for Oban.’
Local MSP Michael Russell said the BID would develop and support a vibrant, progressive town centre: ‘This is a fantastic result for Oban. The promise of at least £840,000 being spent on the issues which local businesses most want to see tackled is a real boost to the town, and the commitments already set down in the business plan are likely to trigger further investment from other sources.
‘Schemes such as this show just what can be achieved when businesses come together and work in partnership towards a common goal. There are already BIDs up and running across Scotland which are having a significant impact on the towns and cities in which they are operating. ‘I am delighted that Oban is now going to join that group, and I look forward to seeing the BID making an impact and for the town to continue to go from strength to strength in the future.’
Jamie McGrigor MSP, Argyll-based Highlands and Islands MSP, welcomed the result, ssaying: ‘This is wonderful news – not just for Oban’s business community but for everyone who lives in, works in and visits the town.
‘The projects set out in the BID amount to a comprehensive action plan designed to boost the local trading environment which will, at the same time, also benefit all those with an interest in Oban and its future.
‘I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to achieve this result.
‘Tonight sees Oban embarking on a new path and I – along with everyone else who wants it to achieve its full potential as one of the region’s key business and tourism hubs – will be willing it on every step of the way.’
Full information on the ballot result can be found at the BID4Oban website.
Onwards!!
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Upwards!
Great news for all the town and well done to the steering group for endeavours thus far in pulling the community together.
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Congratulations to the Bid4Oban team and indeed for all the retailers in Oban for getting behind this initiative. Hopefully we will see big improvements in the town because of this. The money should be used to leverage even more funding from other agencies to help develop and improve Oban’s environment and hopefully reverse the recent and very obvious decline in its retail sector.
And if anyone wants to see what Pauline Cameron looks like: she will be appearing in the Oban Panto: “Beauty and the Beast” at the Corran Halls 6th-8th December (oh yes she is!). Pauline (of course) is playing Belle and not the Beast.
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Can someone enlighten me, how does the compulsory bit of this work? For arguments sake say one of the towns banks does not want to be involved and won’t contribute, how will it be enforced?
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Good point, although I think business peer pressure will win any doubters over as benefits will be for all businesses and the community will see a degree of regeneration. The business levy and the BID funding will attract more financial input and the committee will than use all money to good use.
It has awakened some good feeling and enterprise and i dont think any self respecting business will want to be seen to accept the benefits while not giving a fair and proportionate contribution.
There is a good cross section of businesses and individuals on the steering group and everyone needs to get on board to carry this initiative through, short medium and long term. I cant see any alternative.
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This is in line with a good place to get to – less legislation and enforcement and more responsibility.
If any business making money out of Oban was unwilling to pay their levy to support its regeneration, why would anyone in the town take their business there? There are always other places to go.
It would be worth having prominent official BID4Oban stickers for the doors of all responsible participating businesses; and billboards at the 30mph signs saying: ‘Use businesses with BID4Oban signs’.
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all businesses have to pay it is a legal debt if you do not, I think it is worth saying 61% either did not vote or said no
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£840,000? at approx. 10p a hit (yes, hit )
that should just about cover the the cost of removal of all the dog mess inside Oban’s 30 mph limit zone for starters?
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We pay council tax for local services, are there actual figures for how much each local business pays.
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Thanks for asking Oban4me. The whole point of the BID is that ALL businesses pay – so it’s not just a few with a sense of ‘responsibility’ for improving their trading environment. Now that a majority have voted for the scheme, all will have to pay in to it – it’s enforced through Planning legislation, in the same way that Rates payment is enforced and is collected on the BID company’s behalf by Argyll and Bute Council and then paid directly into the BID Company’s account.
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It would be good to find out if all the banks have signed up and if not why not. Newsroom, in this country your more likely to get divorced than change your bank account, I can’t see any of the financial institutions customers taking their business elsewhere just because they didn’t sign up to the BID4Oban.
Stickers, yes….. not a ban idea!
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each businesses will pay 1% of there rateable value whether they pay rates or not a number of businesses have said they will be cutting back or stopping charitable donations to pay this as so many are well down on last years sales the figure across the board is said to be around 20% to 30%
With BIDs being a legal debt things could get interesting
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Reference the comments regarding business’s that participate in BID 4 Oban. Now that the BID ballot has been successful, no businesses can opt out of paying the BID levy. This was the whole purpose of the steering groups work in making business’s aware of the BID over the last two years. Given the success of the ballot, we have a fantastic opportunity to improve our town. For details on how much each business will pay towards BID 4 Oban, please visit our website. Andrew Spence – Steering Group Member
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Well done and deserves 100% support from all quarters, but just a wee question, if JD Wetherspoon are successfull in setting up shop in Oban will Bid4Oban expect them to cough up a levy? bearing in mind that the purpose of the recheduled meeting in Boswell house (4th Oct) was to develop a strategy on behalf of Oban Licensed Trade Association to stop Wetherspoons coming to the town and that the vice-chair of said Association is a member of Bid4Oban steering group representing her/himself and the L.T.Association, that’s a lot of people represented who do not agree with some of the aims of Bid4Oban (together under one umbrella etc.)
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not 100% support only 39% voted for BIDs and Wetherspoons whether they like it or not will be the first test for bids as they will have to come out at some point and say if they support wetherspoons coming to Oban or not as they will be asked
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Graeme, in a previous post I asked how much rates each business pays, in one of your post you mentioned that some businesses do not pay rates. You also said only 39% voted for the Bids and now they must all pay 1% of their rateable value. Also you mentioned about who is going to support a new business coming to Oban, Wetherspoons. How can a project with only 39% support be accepted and surely the people of Oban should have a say if they want Wetherspoons to open and not a minority within a minority. What I can say is the people who I have heard speaking about Wetherspoons are looking forward to spend their money with them. Who created that demand for a business like Wetherspoons, why has a local business not met that demand, if there is a demand should it be stopped?
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And I was really looking forward to eating at Wetherspoons! The cafes and restaurants in Oban need a bit of a shake up, in my opinion.
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Don’t despair Lowry they have not been stopped yet and if my understanding of public feeling is correct they should be encouraged. Where were the Oban LTA when the Crown closed , the Mart was demolished,Mantrap closed ,Lobster pot closed, Argyll closed and demolished,Oban inn closed ,Tartan Tavern closed, why no rushed get together to object to the bar in the new Ranald hotel? The whole pier development has been a farce since day one, at last a realistic use is on the horizon, the public must have their say and encourage a welcome for Wetherspoons
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well said Lowry, its about time the town had a bit of a shake up,it will be nice to go to a pub and pay a decent price for decent food
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I agree … having paid £6.10 for a glass of wine yesterday lunchtime in one of Oban’s restaurants near the station, thinking it was the house wine, I am more than ready for a breath of fresh air in terms of pricing!
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Last time I ate in a Wetherspoons it was quite the worst steak I have ever had the misfortune to order. There is more to eating out than price.
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I agree with you … but a bad experience can happen anywhere. I think Wetherspoons offers a “standard” experience which is good for eating with kids, or a night out with friends where you don’t want to feel that you are rushed, and where you can choose to spend a little less if needed.
I would still choose to go to the other restaurants in town for other occasions. At the moment I don’t go for nights out in Oban much as when I have I either felt out of place in the very “Oban” pubs or felt crowded and rushed in some of the others as they are trying to serve a lot of people – certainly not their fault, and there are some great places to eat, but the ones that are doing it well are busy at the weekends as a result and need to get you in, fed and out again quickly.
So for me (price conscious but happy to spend a bit more for local produce, eats out occasionally with the kids and occasionally without them, likes to be able to hold a conversation while I eat) I will use Wetherspoons occasionally but I will also keep going to the other restaurants as well when I fancy something a bit different. So will this change in my behaviour take trade from other establishments – a little bit, but I also think I might be going into Oban for a night out slightly more as I know there is always a fall-back to go to if the other places look a bit busy, noisy or just weird!
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Not so sure about saying Wetherspoons provide decent food!
As for the turnout argument. It could equally be argued that the 51% (by number) who didn’t turnout didn’t particularly care either way. Given this is something that will impact all local businesses and give that it has been on the go for a couple of years (so I wouldn’t have thought there is much of an argument about not knowing about it amongst local businesses) I would have thought any businesses opposed would have turned out to vote.
It is the nature of nearly all votes that decisions are made based on a minority of the total population due to turnout but I don’t think we can allow inertia as a result of this. You can only go on the vote of those who did turn out.
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to John Sinclair
by not paying rates sorry I meant they get a 100% rebate but will still pay 1% of what they would have paid without the rebate.
ntegrity? Not in theCondemall
As for the turn out no matter how you spin it 39% is still a minority
As for Wetherspoons and I think they will get into Oban will BIDs come up with something to help the Pubs cafes Restraunts and suppliers who will be affected as they are the ones who are paying for BiDs or will they just take wetherspoons 1% and move on
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Hopefully for the town the Bids project will be able to work hand in hand with the council,s own developoment plans and especially the Chord programme when it eventually starts.
Having just agreeded a 2.5million contract for consultants to assist the various Chord managers with the projects all over Argyll we will all be expecting some major progress.The local business community can only do so much with limited resources.As I have said many times before, locally in Oban to have had nothing happen with the Chord money we were awarded in the last six years is a farce and must not be allowed to continue.
Or will the latest consultants actually get something done.We live in hope.
Cheers Neil.
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