Published: Wednesday, 16th July, 2008 12:00
A‘bid’ to improve Alloa town centre
By Iain Robertson
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The future is looking positive for Alloa town centre's businesses
BUSINESSES in Alloa are attempting to walk in the footsteps of their New York and London cousins.
Times Square and Oxford Street are Business Improvement Districts (BID) and, if local businesses support proposals by the BID steering group in Alloa, the town centre will adopt the same status.
The proposals, formulated by a group of 25 town centre business owners and stakeholders – the steering group – need to be agreed on by 20 per cent of businesses for the venture to move forward.
The Advertiser spoke to members of the steering group and asked what a BID would mean for Alloa town centre.
Neil McFarlane of McFarlane Jewellers and Watchmakers, said, “I have been involved in town centre projects for the past 15 years, which have had varying levels of success and progress. I strongly believe that the BID concept will be successful as there would be a mechanism to raise money, money which we, the local businesses, decide how is spent.
“We would also have a strong cohesive voice for the business community that will be listened to and cannot be ignored.”
If the 20 per cent is secured it will be followed by a detailed business plan, which will be written and distributed for ballot.
A yes vote – which would secure funding – would guarantee immediate and on-going improvements to Alloa Town Centre.
Another member of the steering group Lorraine Gorman from the Colour Lounge said, “I want to work and trade in an environment that I can be proud of.
“I have invested in my shop and in staff training, giving Alloa the Colour Lounge which offers treatments and services that you would expect in major city centres. I want to see my investment replicated through the Alloa town centre, creating a town where people choose to shop and visit.”
She added, “Anything that regenerates Alloa can only be good. Some of the changes I’d like to see include the pedestrianisation of the High Street and more specialist shops in the town.
“A BID in Alloa town centre would mean more footfall. In Alloa there’s no marketing and to brand the town could only increase its status.
“Having the dedicated BID team at Kilncraigs allows me to grow my business whilst they make the changes we all want.”
The BID team have the skills, not just to implement a business plan – with the project manager and project leader holding an MBA – but to save on costs by doing the marketing in-house.
Project leader, Andrew Mitchell said, “We don’t want any money wasted, we want to be frugal with businesses investment and use it for the betterment of Alloa.”
A successful ballot would ensure the type of investment that Lorraine and others want to see. Collectively those within the town centre BID area could raise £110,000 per annum for a five year period.
Steering group member and owner of the Star Inn, David Westland said, “The BID project provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses to improve the local town centre environment for customers and themselves.”
He added, “It will improve local businesses desirability and profitability. Voting yes for the BID is the original no-brainer.”
The money raised by the BID would be collected by Clackmannanshire Council and would be drawn down as agreed by members of the elected BID Board – created after a ‘yes’ vote – to deliver the planned projects outlined in the business plan.
Bar Aldo owner, Aldo Pia said, “I strongly believe that Alloa’s BID is the only way where we can work together to achieve benefits not just for business but for the local community. We have this unique opportunity and responsibility to manage change with local businesses leading.”
Working together will mean a stronger and more influential business voice with strength in numbers making change a reality.
Graham Struthers from the Federation of Small Business, Forth Valley, said, “The Federation of Small Business fully supports the Alloa town centre BID.
“By businesses working together, skills and knowledge can be shared and exchanged. Additionally, financial savings can be made through efficient use of capital and scale when working collectively.”
The proposals are currently being discussed between the BID team and local businesses. It will only be another week or so before it is known what has been agreed and what the next step will be.
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