Bute’s Business Development Group has launched its bid to secure a new mandate to continue to help enterprise to grow and flourish on the island.
The Business Improvement District, or BID, said its consultation for renewal is now live and is seeking comment and feedback from existing members and other businesses across Bute.
It comes as the chair of the Bute BID, Duncan Martin, told this newspaper this is a time of opportunity for Bute.
He said he is keen to hear from levy payers and others on what they would like to see next.
With the planned refurbishment of the Royal Hotel, Mount Stuart featuring at the Venice Biennale, Bute being entered as an island into the UK Town of Culture competition, the Pavilion reopening, Adventure Lane and the Discovery Centre projects all happening, Bute could see a welcome economic boost over the next couple of years, he said.
Mr Martin acknowledges there were some problems with the BID last year: “There have been ups and downs and we’ve learned a lot.”
A new board is in place and it is keen to listen and hear what people across the island have to say about their future.
The BID is aiming to take a different approach if the mandate is renewed in the autumn. It plans to evolve into an organisation focusing on encouraging and developing tourism. The team believes this is the ideal time to pick up the initiative on visitor growth, as that could be a boost to business right across the island.
Duncan Martin commented: “With VisitScotland closing its local service, the board now believes that the BID can fulfil a more vital tourism- and events-focused role by working closely with levy payers, CalMac, Historic Environment Scotland, EventScotland, Argyll and Isles Tourism Cooperative and the council to drive up visitor numbers, dwell time and spend.”
As part of that business drive, the BID is working with Historic Environment Scotland and partners to deliver a community open day at Rothesay Castle on March 28, as well as planning a series of events over the Easter season.
The BID is revamping its website, upgrading the amphitheatre in Rothesay for a summer events programme and developing a promotional video for coaches and cruise visitors.
Mr Martin told The Isle of Bute News the group is very keen to be seen, to be more visible in the community, and is seeking a prominent location to help it start delivering tourism information services over the coming summer season.
The consultation will run from now until mid-April, after which ideas and suggested projects will be considered for inclusion in the formal BID proposal, which will then be submitted for council and government approval. Levy payers will all have a vote on whether these proposals get approved, through a closed ballot in September.
The consultation document is being made available on the body’s website, butebid.com, and any questions can be directed to the BID using the email address [email protected].
The board said hard copies of the document are also available on request.
