Old Town BID project clears first hurdle as majority of businesses back plans
Plans for a Business Improvement District in Edinburgh's Old Town have secured enough business support to move to the next stage, the steering group has said.
Plans to develop a Business Improvement District (BID) for Edinburgh’s Old Town have reached what organisers call an important milestone, after the project secured the initial level of business support needed to progress to the next stage.
According to the Edinburgh Old Town BID Steering Group, 59% of those who answered the question on whether they would support a BID responded positively. By 29 September, 98 survey responses had been received, following an online survey, face-to-face engagement with businesses and meetings with key stakeholders, the group said.
The consultation also highlighted cleaner streets, a stronger collective business voice and partnership working to address antisocial behaviour as key priorities for the Old Town, the steering group said.
Kat Brogan, Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Old Town BID Steering Group, said: “This is a really encouraging milestone for the Old Town, and I would like to thank all the businesses who have taken the time to share their views with us.”
She added: “Reaching this milestone means we can now progress to develop the detail of what a future BID could look like.”
Next steps
The consultation, which the steering group said would run until the end of September, has now closed. The steering group said it would review the findings and consider the proposed BID area, levy arrangements and priorities for a draft Business Plan.
The group said it was committed to an inclusive, fair and transparent approach, with the reasoning behind its decisions communicated clearly to businesses.
A ‘Next Steps’ document is due to be published in November, setting out the proposed arrangements and direction of the project ahead of the full BID Proposal and Business Plan, the steering group said.
All eligible businesses within the proposed BID area will have the opportunity to vote on the final proposals in a formal ballot planned for spring 2027, according to the steering group.