A group of local business owners came together in March 2026 to explore the idea of developing a Business Improvement District (BID) for Edinburgh’s Old Town.
This process is still in the exploratory phase; no final decisions have been made, and nothing is being proposed yet. As a group, we believe it is vital that this journey remains open, honest, and transparent.
Survey Update: On 18 May, we launched an anonymous opinion poll to gauge the level of support within the business community. The survey was hosted by The Union agency and supported by press coverage in a range of newspapers, online platforms, and a feature on Radio Forth news.
We continue to seek views from all businesses in the Old Town as we determine if there is sufficient interest to take these proposals forward.
Between 26 May and 2 June, survey cards were hand-distributed to 468 businesses.
The survey covered the Royal Mile (Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle), and all streets, lanes and closes, north to Waverley, South to Teviot Place, and West to Lothian Road.
This was to canvass opinion in as wide an area as possible. Note that this is not an indication of the boundary for any proposed BID. This has not yet been discussed and will be subject to the next stage of consultation.
Survey Response Rate: 120 businesses responded representing 25.6% of businesses canvassed.
Survey Headline Responses:
Supportive 50%
Neutral 8%
Unsuppotive 42%
Good idea in principal·
A stronger, combined voice for businesses·
A platform to influence the Council and challenge where services are not effectively provided·
Council [on its own] is failing, combined efforts can result in positive benefits·
The needs of businesses are being overlooked·
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
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
Your feedback is vital to the future of Edinburgh's Old Town. The survey takes less than 5 minutes.
info@oldtownbid.co.uk