Glasgow Business . 39
www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
SUCCESSFUL BID
Sauchiehall Street businesses say yes to Glasgow’s first business improvement district
B
usinesses in Sauchiehall Street have approved a plan to help make a section of one of Glasgow’s most famous streets Scotland’s undisputed
premier entertainment destination. Te city’s first-ever Business Improvement
District (BID) will focus on the non- pedestrianised part of Sauchiehall Street from the junction with Rose Street and Blythswood Street to Charing Cross. Ninety two per cent of eligible voting
businesses voted in favour by number, and 97 per cent by rateable value. More than 50 per cent is required by legislation. Te 59 per cent turnout also comfortably exceeded the BID minimum requirement of 25 per cent. Te business-led plan aims to substantially
increase the number of overseas and domestic visitors through high-profile marketing, a programme of events and by ensuring the street is cleaner, safer and highly inviting. BID Steering Group Chairman Brian
Fulton, Director of CPL Entertainment, which owns Te Garage club, said: “Every big and successful city in the world has streets which are synonymous with entertainment – and that is what Sauchiehall Street will become thanks to this decision. “Among the priorities for Sauchiehall Street
is to make it more friendly, safer, cleaner and easier to access, and for the area to be strongly marketed as our main entertainment location. Tis is a fantastic street which already has a
The non-pedestrianised part of Sauchiehall Street will become cleaner, safer and more inviting
wide range of bars, clubs, casinos and restaurants, augmented by a cultural core of arts venues and theatres. Te city centre entertainment sector is crucial to the overall success and vitality of Glasgow, a key factor for tourists coming here, and for students deciding where to atend college or university.” Glasgow Chamber of Commerce worked
closely with a group of businesses which have frontages on the street to develop the proposal. Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Patrick
said: “It’s great news for Glasgow city centre. Tis section of Sauchiehall Street has gone through a significant change over the years and is no longer really a shopping street, but very much a leisure area. “Te BID will give this key area a greater
degree of atention. Tis is the first successful BID in Glasgow and it could now become a catalyst for BIDs in other areas proposed in the
City Centre Strategy, such as the Style Mile and the pedestrian section of Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and Buchanan Street.” Glasgow City Council, through its City
Centre Regeneration team, has supported Business Improvement Districts as a way for businesses to work together to achieve shared objectives in an area, funding the demonstration project for the Sauchiehall Street BID. Te BID is also a chance for businesses to collectively participate in the new City Centre Strategy and its emerging plans for the Sauchiehall District. Te BID will begin in April 2014, and run
for an initial term of five years until 31 March 2019. Businesses in the area will invest the equivalent of 1 per cent of their rateable value into a fund. More than £180,000 will be raised this way in the first five years and other funding avenues will be explored to maximise the reach of projects.
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