Essential Edinburgh
Business Improvement District
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a new business led partnership approach between the private and public sectors designed to improve a local area in line with business’ needs.
BIDs around the world vary hugely in size and scope. They can deliver one particular project, such as a marketing campaign, or installation of a security system; or they can work on a range of projects that businesses in the area benefit from.
The services and projects provided by the BID must be additional to those already supplied by public bodies, such as local authorities and the police. Many BID projects cover the following aspects of the trading environment:
- More attractive environment: enhanced cleansing and maintenance service; increased décor to create more inviting environment
- Safe and secure: Wardens service; sharing of information on local criminals and criminal gangs
- Accessibility: improved transport; initiatives to allow people to move into and around an area more easily
- Marketing: projects to encourage shoppers, visitors, residents and businesses into the area.
However, any initiative that a business community agrees on, so long as it does not contradict local authority plans for the area, can be taken forward by a BID.
Edinburgh's First BID
Edinburgh’s first BID "Essential Edinburgh" is planned for the city centre, in the Princes Street - George Street area. A map of the precise area can be found on the Essential Edinburgh BID website.
Following extensive consultation with businesses in the area, and after establishing an Advisory Board, a Draft Business Plan for Essential Edinburgh was published in October 2007. Feedback on this helped shape the Final Business Plan which was made available in February 2008. Voting on Essential Edinburgh via a postal ballot will begin on 11th April and close on 23rd May 2008.
For more information about the Essential Edinburgh Central Business Improvement District, please visit: www.essentialedinburgh.co.uk