THE Bute BID team is gearing up to help give business a boost in time for Christmas with a series of events planned across and beyond the festive season.
Christmas lights will be switched on in Rothesay on Friday, November 21 and Port Bannatyne the following Friday.
The renewed vigour for the BID comes as an open meeting in Rothesay encouraged a range of views to be heard, including feedback on the business investment team’s performance and pledges.
With visitor numbers continuing to grow year on year, project consultant Phil Prentice said it is vital to harness and further develop tourism.
He said continuing to grow the numbers of people visiting for day trips and longer will help business right across the island.
Mr Prentice also acknowledged there have been communication problems between the BID board and its members and others.
He told this newspaper he believed identifying that as a problem and working to rectify and repair it was a turning point for the project.
The meeting also saw points being raised that are not within the direct remit of the BID including housing, cleansing, depopulation and job creation.
Mr Prentice said he believed it is “imperative” the BID clearly relates its remit, responsibilities and intentions across the business and wider community.
But first, to Christmas and the switch-on of the lights in Rothesay.
That will be on Friday, November 21 and will feature carol singing from nursery, primary and secondary school pupils. Santa Claus is coming to town that evening and he is likely to bring a gift or two for the naughty and nice.
The event will also feature a poignant illuminated poppy projection onto the castle walls, alongside other festive images on town centre gable ends.
There will also be a series of “living trees” at three key points on the island. The trees will be placed on Rothesay Esplanade, Port Bannatyne and Ettrick Bay where people will be encouraged to hang messages supporting dear ones in need and remembering those who have gone from view.
Conversations are under way to potentially host a late-night shopping trail in Rothesay either on the same night or the following Friday, November 28. Look out for further details in The Isle of Bute News and social media.
And on November 28, the Christmas lights will be switched on in Port Bannatyne.
The Bute BID is presently taking the lead in a series of further initiatives island-wide, including developing a key relationship with the internationally renowned Celtic Connections Festival coordinated by the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall.
The BID is in conversation to create and capture a “Celtic Cousins” opportunity that is aimed to generate visitor numbers to a series of musical events on the island, designed to help boost business in February.
