BID for business success

GIFFNOCK businesses are celebrating after voting overwhelmingly to become a Business Improvement District.
Front row l to r: Giffnock BID Steering Group members: Tom McLelland (Quality Shoe Repairs), Brent Hiddleston (Mans World), Giann Celino (Andiamo), Justyna Krupinska (East Renfrewshire BIDs Co-ordinator), Scott Weir (The Salon), John Hamilton (President of East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce)Front row l to r: Giffnock BID Steering Group members: Tom McLelland (Quality Shoe Repairs), Brent Hiddleston (Mans World), Giann Celino (Andiamo), Justyna Krupinska (East Renfrewshire BIDs Co-ordinator), Scott Weir (The Salon), John Hamilton (President of East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce)
Front row l to r: Giffnock BID Steering Group members: Tom McLelland (Quality Shoe Repairs), Brent Hiddleston (Mans World), Giann Celino (Andiamo), Justyna Krupinska (East Renfrewshire BIDs Co-ordinator), Scott Weir (The Salon), John Hamilton (President of East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce)

Of the 64 businesses in the area, more than 70 per cent of them voted in favour of the business plan which will see some £60,000 raised in its first year and £200,000 over the following five years for projects aimed at improving the business area.

The voting took place throughout June and July.

Project co-ordinator Gordon Brown was delighted by the result: “The local businesses have been a great help in pulling together the planand now we will see the benefit of the BID as it begins to unfold.

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“A lot of hard work has also gone into the planning and the consultation from the steering group and can I thank them for their hard work.”

Giffnock BID is the twentieth of its type in Scotland and is sponsored by East Ren’s chamber of commerce and backed by East Renfrewshire council – which will be contributing £30,000 towards the BID’s first year.

Councillor Jim Fletcher, the leader of East Renfrewshire council, said: “We were very happy to hear about the ballot result and we will make sure that we support this great local business initiative as much as we can.”

A total of 70.03% of eligible businesses voted representing 72.5% of the rateable value and easily satisfying the turnout threshold of 25%.

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Paul Reynolds, chairman of the BID steering group, said: “Well done to everyone in the area for having faith that we can make a difference.

“I see the BID as a great opportunity for Giffnock to influence its own future.

“Using the Giffnock Village BID, we can work out increase footfall, stimulate investment and enhance the reputation of the area.

The Giffnock Village BID is about supporting our businesses, increase trade and improve our business environment.”

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John Hamilton, president of East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, added his congratulations to the outcome of the vote and said he looked forward to the “positive outcome” it would bring to the area.

Mr Hamilton continued: “The Chamber of Commerce is grateful to the steering group of local retailers and to the project co-ordinators and supporters who have put such great effort into the project.”