A new question

for the Old Town

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What is being asked? 

Our initial survey in May found there was sufficient support for us to continue developing proposals for an Old Town BID.
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We are now asking businesses to give us their opinion on which issues a future BID should tackle and the additional services businesses want to see provided.  
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The survey will be open throughout August and September and can be found here.
It should take no more than 5-8 minutes to complete.
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Your opinion and input is important.  It will shape the BID proposals and help us produce a business plan, leading to a ballot of eligible businesses in the Spring of 2027.

Click here to be taken to Survey
Learn more & FAQs

Summary of Comments

Positive Comments:

Good idea in principal·

A stronger, combined voice for businesses·
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A platform to influence the Council and challenge where services are not effectively provided·
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Council [on its own] is failing, combined efforts can result in positive benefits·
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The needs of businesses are being overlooked·
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Address issues of crime, antisocial behaviour, safety, security, cleanliness

Funding from Visitor Levy is a game-changer and businesses need a direct influence on how this will be invested in the Old Town

Negative Comments:

Not needed.
These services are already funded through rates and should be provided by the Council, Police Scotland, etc·

Rent, rates and employer costs all recently increased, already too high, this is unaffordable·

Previous BID in Grassmarket was ineffective. An attempt [in 2019] to form an Old Town BID failed and divided the business community·

It will give the Council an excuse to cut back further on core services·

It will not represent the whole Old Town, likely to focus on Royal Mile, no benefit to businesses elsewhere·

Another layer of bureaucracy, costs, with no accountability

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The Steering Group

Kat Brogan (Co-Chair) | Mercat Tours
Arthur Mustard (Co-Chair) | Merchant Leisure
Andrew McRae (Co-Chair) | Museum Context and The Elephant House
Bindi Singh Landa | Landa Group
Victor Spence | Gold Brothers
Lynzi Leroy | The Scottish Design Exchange
Mafalda Albuquerque | Virgin Hotels
Neil Christison | Visit Scotland
Elin Williamson | City of Edinburgh Council
Tony Crolla | Vittoria Group
Denzil Skinner (Advisor) | Essential Edinburgh
Roddy Smith (Advisor) | Essential Edinburgh
Jim Galloway (Consultant) | Edinburgh Global Limited

Contact us:

Your feedback is vital to the future of Edinburgh's Old Town. The survey takes less than 5 minutes.

info@oldtownbid.co.uk
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