Plans to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) in Dundee have been revived, signalling a renewed effort to enhance the city’s commercial landscape. Previous attempts in 2015 and 2017 ended in failure, while another effort in 2019 stalled due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the latest initiative aims to harness local business support to create a community-focused fund that will finance improvements in key areas, such as the city centre and high street.

A BID is typically led and funded by local businesses, which contribute a percentage of their rateable value—usually between 1% and 4%—to a communal pot. This fund is intended to bolster initiatives ranging from marketing campaigns to infrastructure improvements, including street furniture, landscaping, and community events that drive foot traffic to retail areas. The final decision on whether to approve the BID will rest with business owners in the proposed district, who will cast their votes in March 2026.

A steering committee has been formed to spearhead the initiative, chaired by Paul Mooney, the general manager of Apex City Quay. Mooney noted the positive outcomes of similar BIDs in other cities, stating, “A business improvement district is essentially an additional resource that’s going to be business led, that’s going to have strong transparency and a stakeholder voice.” He acknowledged concerns raised by business owners about issues such as anti-social behaviour, security, and the need for enhanced cleaning services beyond what the local council provides.

Mooney’s commitment to fostering a vibrant shopping environment is shared by many in the local business community. Plans include conducting surveys to gather input from businesses about their major concerns and preferences regarding initiatives that could potentially increase visitor numbers to the city centre. Reflecting on his own experiences, Mooney remarked, “I love it [Dundee]. There’s so much goodwill and collaborative working already in Dundee across businesses.”

This renewed focus on BID initiatives coincides with broader efforts to stimulate economic growth in Dundee. In November 2023, Dundee City Council announced a strategic partnership with the Scottish and UK Governments designed to bolster the city’s regeneration efforts and create high-quality jobs. This initiative builds on existing projects aimed at addressing economic challenges, including the Tay Cities Regional Deal and the Abertay cyberQuarter. Council leader John Alexander underscored the importance of this partnership in shaping Dundee’s future prospects.

Critics of BIDs, however, have raised concerns regarding their democratic legitimacy and transparency, suggesting that these schemes can sometimes favour larger businesses at the expense of smaller ones. Previous local endeavours have also faced setbacks, such as in 2015 when only a majority of businesses voted for a BID, but the rateable value did not meet necessary funding thresholds. Such challenges underline the precarious nature of establishing BIDs, especially amidst competition from other local economic initiatives and the evolving retail landscape.

As Dundee considers this latest BID proposal, the discussion opens up possibilities not just for local businesses, but also for enhancing the city’s overall attractiveness as a commercial destination. With community engagement and transparency at its core, this initiative aims to build upon the collaborative spirit of Dundee’s business environment.

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Source: Noah Wire Services