OIC welcomes BID ballot boost

Orkney Islands Council has welcomed the news that Kirkwall businesses have voted in favour of a third, five-year term of the Business Improvement District (BID), Kirkwall BID.
 
The results of the recent ballot were announced in the Council Chamber this morning (Friday 3 March) with 109 businesses voting in favour of the continuation of the scheme.
 
Through the BID Kirkwall businesses pay an annual levy for the delivery of services and projects that enhance the trading environment, creating a prosperous and exciting destination for shoppers, staff, residents and visitors to the town.
 
Originally founded in 2013, Kirkwall BID has, over the past 10 years, introduced a number of successful campaigns and projects that responded to the key objectives of the BID member’s business plan. These included initiatives such as installing three phases of the winter lights across the town, creating a popular calendar of events bringing people to the town and the launch of free one-hour winter parking agreed with the council.
 
The third term of the BID will begin on 3rd March 2023
 
Kirkwall East Councillor John Ross Scott is the Council representative on the BID board.  He said: "This is great news. Over the past ten years Kirkwall BID's small hard-working and enthusiastic team, chaired in recent years by Duncan McLean, have made their mark on our community by promoting the town centre and the drive to get folk to shop local. This gives them a mandate to carry on their good work for a further five years and they already have a multitude of events ideas that will stimulate trade to be working on.”