pa23 dunoon bid business plan - argyll ... - argyll and bute · business plan 15th april 2013 to 14...

To help make Dunoon a destination of choice in the west of Scotland for people

to visit and businesses to thrive.

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTSTEERING GROUP

PA23 Dunoon BIDBusiness Plan

15th April 2013 to 14th April 2018

Contents

Foreword – Euan Macdonald, Chairman, PA23 BID Steering Group 1

Executive Summary 2

Introduction 3

• WhatisaBusinessImprovementDistrict(“BID”)?• BackgroundtoBIDsandtheirOrigins• BIDsinScotland

WhydoesDunoonneedaBID? 4

ConsultingtheBusinessesandCustomers–whatwassaidandwhatwasdone? 5

Summary of services already provided by the Public Sector – 7BID projects do not duplicate or replace public services

TheBallot–Howthevotingprocessworks 7

The BID Area 8

WhysomebusinessesintheDunoonareasupportthePA23BID 10

WhoPaysandwhatwillmyinvestmentintheBIDbe? 12

• WhowillcollecttheBIDInvestmentLevy?• ExclusionsandExemptions

BID Income and Expenditure 13

PA23BIDMissionStatement,AimandObjectives 14

Business Plan Context 15

Key Themes, Potential Projects & Costs – where the money will be spent 17

• MarketingandEvents• BusinessSupportProgramme• Advocacy/Facilitation• Communications• ResourcingthenewBIDCompany• Contingency

ThenewBIDCompany–whathappensifit’saYESvote? 21

• GovernanceandManagement• MinimisingRisk• ReviewandMeasuringSuccess

PA23 BID Steering Group 22

Note on terminology: Throughout this document the PA23 BID is sometimes referred to as the Dunoon BID or the PA23 Dunoon BID where the context demands it. Commercial activity in the Dunoon area is concentrated on

Dunoon,Kirn,Hunter’sQuay,ArdnadamandSandbank,butvisitorstotheareajustcallit‘Dunoon’.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development:

Europe investing in rural areas

1 Vote YES for the PA23 BID

Foreword Euan Macdonald, Chairman of the PA23 BID Steering Group

Dear Colleagues,

The PA23 BID is all about Positive Attitude. So why do I welcome you to this BID Prospectus by dwelling on negative aspects of the Dunoon locality? It is because we MUST accept that we face several threats:

• TheBIDconsumersurveyshowsthatDunoonisperceivedasaTIREDtownwherethereis little to do

• TheScottishAgriculturalCollegeReportinMay2012putDunoonequalBOTTOMalongwithCampbeltownamong90Scottishruraltowns

ThepurposeofaBIDistoconfrontthechallengesthatfacebusinesses.Ourbusinesssectorcannottackleeverything.Itisbeyondustoacquireandupgrademajoritemsofinfrastructuresuchasroads,piersandutilities (although our forebears did it easily). We can and should however do what we can to help ourselves.

ThethingstheBIDseekstodoareNOTthejoboftheCounciloranyoneelsetoprovide.ItisOURjobtodothis. I earnestly believe that the solution to our vulnerability – the worst in rural Scotland – lies principally inappointingafootfallmanagerwhosejobitisEVERYWORKINGDAYtoincreasefootfall–shoppersacrossyourdoor;bumsonseatsinrestaurants,pubs,andevents;headsinbedsinhotelsandguesthouses.ThereisNOONEwhodoesthisatpresent.ThejobdoesnotEXIST.

This person must also go in fighting – a term bandied about by politicians who promise to ‘fight’ for this and that–inthevariousorganisations,withvagueandconfusingnames,wherefinancialdecisionsaremade.ArgyllandIslesStrategicTourismPartnership(AISTP)forexample,HighlandsandIslandsEnterprise(HIE),younameit.TheseorganisationshaveSERIOUSinfluenceandcanhaveverysubstantialfunds.UnlessyouhavesomeonewiththeirfeetunderthetableyouwillgetNONEofthatforyourbusiness.DoyouthinkthatothertownsandareasinArgyllandButearesittingback?AgainIstressitisnotthatourpresentrepresentativesaredoingbadly.Theydonotexist!Othertownsarefightingforsurvival,andapplyingforfunds,promotions,projects.ThebusinesssectorinthePA23BIDzoneisstandingbyinsteadofappointingtheir own champion to enter the lists on their behalf.

Enoughofnegatives.Letmedwellonthepositives.Dunoonhassuperbnaturalassetsonitsdoorstep:proximitytoahugepopulationbase;atrackrecordinhostingevents–theCowalHighlandGathering,theMod–whichleavesothertownsgasping;andpublicassetssuchastheQueen’sHallandtheStadiumwhicharetheenvyofall.TheCHORDprojectwillrejuvenatetheQueen’sHallandtheBurghHallisundergoingthe most exciting phase of its long history. Argyll Street is the most resilient high street in Scotland. The self-cateringbusinessatHunter’sQuayHolidayVillageisaphenomenaldrawforthetown.Allthesethingsendow us with a Positive Attitude.

IearnestlyimploreyoutojoininvotingthePA23BIDintoexistencesothatwestarttotakecontrolofourbusinessprospectsovera5yearperiod.It’syourmoney,andyoucontrolit.Byjoiningtogetherwecreatesomething many times more powerful than any of us alone can achieve individually.

Euan Macdonald Chairman

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Executive Summary

“Strategic planning is worthless – unless there is first a strategic vision.”JohnNaisbitt

Objectives

• To create a well promoted and vibrant town centre• To increase customer spend• To attract more visitors• To increase the number and size of events• To create a place in which businesses thrive• To raise Dunoon’s profile by improving people’s perception of the town centre• To provide a strong local voice for businesses in the BID area• To help businesses make cost savings

Mission Statement “To help make Dunoon a destination of choicein the west of Scotland for people to visit and

businesses to thrive.”

AimThe aim of the BID is to deliver a series of projects and services

that will improve the trading environment in Dunoon to benefit businesses, their customers,

clients and visitors.

Key findingsThePA23BIDSteeringGrouphasconductedconsiderableresearchtodiscoverwhatthebusinessesofDunoonwouldlikeaBIDtodeliver,howsatisfiedtheyarewiththeexistingprojectsandservicescurrentlybeing delivered and the views of Dunoon’s customers and visitors. The research also established the need for afutureBIDandconfirmsthatthefollowingkeyaspectshavebeencompletedtodeliverasuccessfulballot.

• LocalneedforaBIDisstronglyidentified.

• TheBIDareaislogicalandclearlydefined

• SupportoftheLocalAuthorityatbothofficerandpoliticallevel.

• SupportofStrathclydePolice.

• TheBIDlevywithprivatecontributionsissufficienttodelivertheprojectsinthebusinessplan.


Introduction

WhatisaBusinessImprovementDistrict(“BID”)?ABIDisageographicallydefinedarea,wherebusinessescometogetherandagreetoinvestcollectivelyinprojectsandservicesthattheybelievewillimprovetheirtradingenvironment.BIDprojectsandservicesarenew;theydonotreplaceservicesthatarealreadyprovidedbyArgyllandButeCouncilandotherpublicbodies such as Strathclyde Police.

BIDsaredeveloped,managedandpaidforbytheprivatesectorbymeansofaninvestmentlevy,whichthebusinessesintheproposedBIDareamustvoteinfavourofbeforetheBIDcanbeestablished.Eachbusinessliable to pay the BID levy will be able to vote on whether or not the BID goes ahead.

A BID can only proceed if:

• Thereisaminimum25%turnout(headcount)bynumberofbusinessesandbycombined rateable value

• Over50%ofthosethatvotemustvoteinfavouroftheBID

• Thosethatvoteinfavourrepresentover50%ofthetotalrateablevalueofthevotescast

BackgroundtoBIDsandtheirOriginsBIDsfirststartedin1970inBloorWestVillage,Toronto,Canada,bythetown’sbusinesscommunity. The town’s businesses were increasingly under pressure from the new shopping centres that were beingdevelopedontheoutskirtsofthetown,divertingshoppersaway from the traditional town centre out to the new shopping malls. As a result some businesses were forced to cease

trading and the town started to looktiredandneglected.

To stop the haemorrhage ofdesertingshoppers,localbusinessesfoughtbacktorevitalise the town. They successfully lobbied for legislation for all the businesses in the proposed BID area to pay a levy. The levy money was used to improve the physical appearanceofthetown,andthen promote the town centre

asavibrant,attractiveandsafeplacetoworkshopandlive.Thestrategypaidoff,as shoppers started to return to the town centre in large numbers. The success of the BloorWestVillageBIDpavedthewayforfutureBIDs,notonly in Toronto; but spreading throughoutCanada,andtheUSAinthelate1960’sand1970’s.Todaythereareover1700successfulBIDsworldwide.

BIDs in ScotlandOverthepastfewyears,thepopularityofBIDsintheUKhasgrownataphenomenalrate,withover140BIDsinoperation.TheScottishGovernmentisfullysupportive of the development of BIDsinScotland,havingpassedBIDlegislationin2006andfundedthe6pilotBIDprojectsin2008aspartofaPathfinderprogramme:EnterprisingBathgate,Alloa,InvernessCity,EssentialEdinburgh,ClacksFirst(ClackmannanBusinessParks)andFalkirkDelivers.Thesuccessofthese6pilotBIDsencouragedthedevelopmentof11furtherBIDs to date : Dunfermline Delivers,Kirkcaldy4All,EmbraceElgin,ILoveClarkston,Aberdeen

CityCentre,QueensferryAmbition,LivingLerwick,BID4Oban,Hamilton,GreaterGrassmarketand,mostrecently,LargsMatters.Thereareatleastanother19intheformaldevelopment phase.

An additional measure of the success of BIDs is in the renewal process. Most BIDs run for a period of five years and approximately99%ofbusinessesvote in favour of continuing the BID (for a further 5 years) when they come up for renewal. SeveralBIDsinEnglandhavegone through the renewal process and are now in their secondterm.Sofar,onlythe

“FalkirkDelivers”BIDhasdonesoinScotlandbecause,unliketheother5pilotBIDs,ithada 3 year term which ended in 2011.Thisshowsthatbusinessesrecognise the value of BIDs and the collective and collaborative workingtoprovidethetypeofimproved trading environment that businesses want for themselves,theirstaff,customersand clients. The remaining 5 of theoriginal6BIDswillallbeundergoing this renewal process forare-ballotin2013whentheir initial 5 year terms end : EnterprisingBathgate,EssentialEdinburgh,InvernessBID,AlloaandClacksFirst.

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WhydoesDunoonneedaBID?

Dunoonstandsonthebrinkinthe current economic climate. The business environment is under threat and the Scottish AgriculturalCollegeReport(“RuralScotlandinFocus”,May2012)highlightedthetown’sprecarious position as one of the most under threat in Scotland. Without a cohesive Business voice–DunoonlacksaBusinessAssociation,TouristAssociationorTownCentreManagementorganisation–thetownlacksa“GameChanger”or“DealMaker”to represent business interests and views. There is no mechanism tostoptheretailleakagetoGreenock/Glasgow/Braeheadand increase footfall through betterpromotionsandevents,and to attract more visitors to the town. The independent consumerresearchundertakeninAutumn2011onbehalfof

PA23 BID (by IBP Strategy and Research)highlightedtheviewsof the general public both within Dunoon and also in other towns across the west of Scotland that Dunoon was a nice place but requiredmorethingstodowhilealso improving the perception of the town as a destination worth visiting.

In2010,ArgyllandButeCouncilsecuredandinvested£475,000fromtheScottishGovernment’s“TownCentreRegenerationFund”on public realm improvements in DunoonTownCentre.TheCouncil

alsoapprovedinMarch2012afurther significant investment ofc.£8maspartofitsCHORDProgramme.The“CHORD”isanacronymrepresentingthe5keyareas within Argyll and Bute area whichtheCouncilisplanningtoregeneratewithmajorinvestment:Campbeltown,Helensburgh,Oban,RothesayandDunoon.It

alsoapprovedinMarch2012thebusiness case for the upgrading oftheQueen’sHall,Dunoon’spremierindooreventarena,in2013-2014intooneofthebestvenues in the west of Scotland :

• Re-developmentofthebuilding(£6.9m)intoamodernlearning,leisureandeventsspacewhichwouldact as a focal point for the local community and a gateway facility for visitors through co-location of arangeofservicese.g.VisitorInformationCentreandpotentiallythenewBIDoffice.

• Transport&StreetsImprovements(£1.24million)–creationofanewpublicspacetotheeastsideoftheQueensHalltoenhancethevisitorexperience,improveafocalpointandgatewaytothetownandemphasise the importance of the refurbished hall to both visitors and residents.

It is important to recognise that, beyond this significant investment by the Council, the business community through a BID requires to bring forward a series of ideas and projects that not only complement theCHORDProjectbutwhichwouldmakeasignificantdifference to the business environment. It is clear from diminishing footfall, particularly in the retail area, that greater activity is needed to ensure that Dunoon improves its competitiveness.

The PA23 BID provides a unique opportunity for

Dunoonbusinessestoworktogether, invest collectively andundertakeprojectswhichcan contribute positively to improving their economic viability and to increasing future investment in the town. The BID, through this Business Plan, offers the prospects of takingDunoonontothenextstage of its development – marketing/perception,businessdevelopment, and destination of choice for the 21st Century.

Importantly,throughaBID,Dunoon would be well placed toplanforandtakeadvantageof many opportunities over

the next few years to improve the business environment and business prospects. The year 2014wouldbringdividendsfromtheCommonwealthGames,RyderCupandtheScotland-wide“YearofHomecoming”marketingcampaign.TheBIDbrings the best prospects of workingproactivelywithkeystakeholdersandaccessingadditional funds available for the benefit of Dunoon businesses e.g. fromArgyllandButeCouncil,HighlandsandIslandsEnterprise(HIE),ArgyllandIslesStrategicPartnership(AISTP),CowalMarketingGroup,EventScotland,VisitScotland,etc.

The views of the general public both within Dunoon and also in other towns across the west of Scotland thatDunoonwasaniceplacebutrequiredmorethings to do while also improving the perception of the town as a destination worth visiting.


DUNOON ON PATH FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR A BID

1. WHAT IS A BID? A Business Improvement District BID is a geographically defined area, where businesses come together and agree to invest collectively in projects and services that they believe will improve their trading environment. BID projects and services are new; they do not replace services that are already provided by Argyll and Bute Council and other public bodies such as Strathclyde Police.BIDs are developed, managed and paid for by the private sector through an investment levy which the businesses in the proposed BID area (or commercial property owners if that property is vacant) must vote in favour of before the BID can be established. Each business liable to pay the BID levy will be able to vote on whether or not the BID goes ahead.A BID can only proceed if:

• There is a minimum 25% turnout (headcount) of businesses in the BID area.• Over 50% of those that vote must vote in favour of the BID.• Those that vote in favour represent over 50% of the total rateable value of the votes cast.

2. WHAT THE “CHORD” PROJECT STANDS FOR? “CHORD” is an acronym representing the 5 key areas within Argyll and Bute area which the Council is planning to regenerate with major investment: Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon. In Dunoon’s case, this means a significant investment of over £8 million:• Re-development of Queen’s Hall (£6.9m) into a modern learning, leisure and events space which would act as a focal point for the local community and a gateway facility for visitors.• Transport & Streets Improvements (£1.24 million) – creation of a new public space to the east side of the Queens Hall to enhance the visitor experience and gateway to the town.

Work starts in Spring 2013 and be completed during the summer of 2014.Whilst the BID is entirely business-driven and the Council has no say over it, the CHORD project will work best for the Dunoon area IF business owners feed ideas into it.

www.pa23.org.uk DECEMBER 2012

Business Improvement District Steering Group

The purpose of a Business Improvement District (BID) is to confront the challenges that face businesses. The things the BID seeks to do are NOT the job of the Council or anyone else to provide. It is OUR job to do this. I earnestly believe that the solution to our vulnerability lies principally in appointing a BID manager whose job it is EVERY WORKING

DAY to increase footfall – shoppers across your door; bums on seats in restaurants, pubs, and events; heads in beds in hotels and guest houses. There is NO ONE who does this at present. The job does not EXIST.

This person must also go in fighting – a term bandied about by politicians who promise to ‘fight’ for this and that – in the various organisations, with vague and confusing names, where financial decisions are made. Argyll and Isles Strategic Tourism Partnership (AISTP) for example, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), you name it. These organisations have SERIOUS influence and can have very substantial funds. Unless you have someone with their feet

under the table you will get NONE of that for your business. Do you think that other towns and areas in Argyll and Bute are sitting back? Again I stress it is not that our present representatives are doing

badly. They do not exist! Other towns are fighting for survival, and applying for funds, promotions, projects. The business sector in the PA23 BID zone is standing by instead of appointing their own champion to enter the lists on their behalf.

The CHORD project will rejuvenate the Queen’s Hall and the Burgh Hall is undergoing the most exciting phase of its long history. Argyll Street is the most resilient high street in Scotland. The self-catering business at Hunter’s Quay Holiday Village is a phenomenal draw for the town. All these

things endow us with a Positive Attitude.

By joining together we create something many times more powerful than any of us alone can achieve individually.

Euan Macdonald Chairman

DUNOON SNIPPETS - EVER WONDERED:

CONTACTBID Development Manager: Sunil Varu Email: [email protected]: c/o Stewart and Bennett, 82 Argyll Street, Dunoon, PA23 7NJPA23 BID Steering Group thanks the following for their support of the development of the BID:www.pa23.org.uk

PA23 BID STEERING GROUP MEMBERSFeel free to approach any of the Steering Group members to discuss the plans as they have overseen the work to date and if you

want to get involved please call Sunil Varu, BID Development Manager on 07725 044 450 Mission statementTo help make Dunoon a destination of choice in the West of Scotland for people to visit and businesses to thrive.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?The BID Business Plan will be published (though you can view it at www.pa23.org.uk) in January 2013. There is a 6 week period within which you can vote. It’s a secret and postal ballot

• 17th January 2013: BID Business Plan and voting papers will be issued to every eligible business to vote either YES OR NO.• 28th February 2013: The last day for you to cast your vote.• 1st March 2013: The votes will be counted. If it is a YES vote, every eligible business will be expected to pay their relatively modest contribution to make the Business Plan a reality and set Dunoon on the road to a brighter future and prosperity.

• 15th April 2013: The current Steering Group stands down and a new business-led Board of Directors will be elected: 10 from the Dunoon business community and one from Argyll and Bute Council as well as Strathclyde Police as an observer.

EUAN MACDONALDCHAIRMAN

LIZ DONOVANMACCLURES

IAN MCNEEVICE CHAIRMAN

MATT DOWNSHOLY LOCH MARINA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe aim of the BID is to deliver a series of projects and services that will improve the trading environment in Dunoon to benefit businesses, their customers, clients and visitors.

The objectives of the BID are:• To create a well promoted and vibrant town centre.• To increase customer spend.• To attract more visitors.• To increase the number and size of events.• To create a place in which businesses thrive.• To raise Dunoon’s profile by improving people’s perception of the town centre.

• To provide a strong local voice for businesses in the BID area.• To help businesses make cost savings.

WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT THE BID?I CAN BUY INTO THATI CAN GET INCREDIBLE VALUE FOR MONEY – MY INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION WILL GO INTO A POT WHICH WILL RAISE £144,000 A YEAR AND £720,000 OVER 5 YEARS TO BE SPENT IN DUNOON TO HELP BUSINESSES.

I CAN SAVE MONEY ON MY BUSINESS COSTS POSSIBLY BY AS MUCH AS MY LEVY PAYMENT IF NOT MORE.I CAN SEE EXACTLY WHERE MY MONEY WILL BE SPENT – IT WON’T DISAPPEAR IN SOME DARK HOLE.I CAN BENEFIT FROM THE MARKETING AND EVENTS WHICH WILL BE STAGED IN DUNOON.I CAN SEE THAT NEW FUNDING CAN BE BROUGHT INTO THE AREA FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES.I CAN IDENTIFY WITH THE AMBITIOUS 5 YEAR PLAN TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT DUNOON.I CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SEEDCORN GRANT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WHICH THE BID WILL PROVIDE.

I CAN SEE THE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN DUNOON LED BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IF OUR BUSINESSES ARE TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE.I CAN GET INVOLVED BY BECOMING A DIRECTOR OF THE NEW BID COMPANY.I CAN BE PART OF AND INFLUENCE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR DUNOON.I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY DUNOON AND THE NEW BID COMPANY NEEDS A BID MANAGER TO DRIVE THE AGENDA FORWARD, BRING ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL FUNDS TO THE AREA AND DELIVER THE BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF DUNOON BUSINESSES.

COLIN MACPHERSONABBOTS BRAE HOTEL

SAM COLEYSAMTEQ

GORDON ROSSWESTERN FERRIES

JENNI HARRISONSWALLOW CAFE

DINAH MACDONALDBOOK POINT

DICK WALSHCOUNCILLOR, ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL

JIM MACLEANDUNOON OBSERVER &

ARGYLLSHIRE STANDARD

JOHN ORRWEST COAST TOOL

& PLANT HIRE

The PA23 BID Area extends from Holy Loch Marina to the West Bay

‘POSITIVE ATTITUDE’

DUNOON • SANDBANK • HUNTERS QUAY • KIRN

Welcome to the first edition of the Positive Attitude newsletter.

Positive Attitude is produced by the PA23 BID Steering Group

to inform businesses about the proposed new Business

Improvement District which is set to be formed here in

2012. John Orr is the Development Manager overseeing the

implementation of the BID. Contact details for John are shown

at the bottom of the page and the www.PA23.org website has

lots more detail than we can publish here. John is very keen to

hear your views so please do get in touch.

Chairmans Review -

‘really make a difference’

What is a BID?A Business Improvement District

(BID for short) is a unique scheme

which encourages businesses

to get together and determine

exactly what they would like

to see done to make their own

business environment better

within a defined time period.

Following a period of consultation

the business community vote on

a formal Proposal which details

the projects the BID will carry out,

how much the projects will cost

and how much each business will

contribute to the total.

The BID is led by the business

community and carries out

the wishes of the business

community. By its very nature

a BID will undertake projects

which must be affordable to the

businesses in the defined District

and which will have a direct and

tangible outcome.

The BID is not a substitute for

local authority and neither is it

obliged to take direction from

central or local government. It

is free to raise funds where it

can and may only exist for up

to 5 years after which it must

seek a fresh mandate from local

businesses.

www.pa23.org.uk

ISSUE 1: JULY 2011

Business Improvement District

Steering Group

The aims of the PA23 BID

Steering Group were clear from

the start: to gather all the best

ideas from local businesses and

to choose one idea or group of

ideas which would really make

a difference. Over the course of

many meetings, conversations,

and emails many strong, positive

ideas emerged. A consensus

began to emerge – events,

festivals, concerts, themed

weekends are what we need.

We need these things because

they play to the many strengths

of the town – its beautiful seaside

setting, its proximity to a large

population base, its excellent

stadium and public halls, and

its friendly welcome to visitors.

They bring people and economic

activity to the area.

THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN

ALAN LIVINGSTON, PROPRIETOR OF HIGHLAND STORES

PA23 BID is the only game in town for businesses when it comes to

making significant improvements for locals and tourists alike. The fact

that everybody pays proportionately means that we all must work

together and make it a real success.

www.pa23.org.uk

Date Event Location Time / Cost Contact DetailsSaturday 3rd December

Festive Craft & Food Market with drop-in Lantern Making Workshop and Outdoor Buskers’ Stage

Dunoon Burgh Hall 12noon to 4.30pmEntry by donation (20p)

01369 703302

Saturday 3rd December

Dunoon’s Christmas Lights Switch On with local entertainers, hot chocolate and mince pies

Argyll Street at Dunoon Burgh Hall

4.30pm to 5.30pmFree

01369 703302

Saturday 3rd December

Pop in to Bookpoint after 5pm for mulled wine and the chance to buy two books and get a third free

Bookpoint, 147 Argyll Street

From 5pm 01369 702377

Saturday 10th December

Bookpoint Book Swap Bookpoint, 147 Argyll Street

4pmFree – bring a book to swap

01369 702377

Saturday 3rdDecember until Friday 23rd December

Forestry Commission Scotland Real Christmas Trees for Sale.Mince pies, hot drinks and weekend activities

Glenbranter Forest 10am to 4pm 01369 860703

Sunday 4th December

Evensong with music for Advent

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Kilbride Road

4pm

Sunday 11th December

Cowal Choral Club –Christmas Carol Concert featuring the children of St Mun’s Primary School Choir

St Mun’s Church, Alexandra Parade

3pm Adults £6 Accompanied children free

Sunday 18th December

Christmas Carol Service, followed by mulled wine& mince pies

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Kilbride Road

3pm

Thursday 8th December,Friday 9th December,Saturday 10th December

YouthSTUFF presents Disney’s ‘Mulan’

Dunoon Burgh Hall 7.30pm nightlySaturday Matinee 2pm

01369 703302

Business Improvement District Steering Group

FESTIVE DUNOON 20

11

Consulting the Businesses and Customers – whatwassaidandwhatwasdone?

There were several ways in which PA23 BID consulted with and engaged with businesses and customers who helpedshapetheprojectsforthisBusinessPlan:

• AsurveywascarriedoutofbusinessesandalsoofDunoon’scustomers,bothlocallyaswellasacrosspartsofthewestofScotland.TheindependentsurveywascarriedoutbyIBPstrategyandResearchwiththeaimtofindoutthekeyissuesimpactingonbusinessesandtocapturecustomers’views.Thefindingsareavailableatwww.pa23.org.uk.

• Interviewswithbusinessesfromabroadrangeofbusinesssectorsincludinglargeandsmallretailers,professionalservices,hospitality,pubs/clubs,andaccommodation.

• Aseriesof3BusinessBreakfastmeetingswereheldduringthesummerof2011attheRioRestaurantin Argyll Street to promote the BID concept and stimulate discussion. Businesses were invited and this wasbackedupbynewspaperadvertising.

• AdedicatedwebsitefortheBIDwasdeveloped(www.pa23.org.uk)andfrequentlyupdatedandwasalsobackedupbynewspaperadvertisingfocusedoninformingthebusinesscommunityabouttheBIDconcept and opinions in Dunoon.

• ANewsletterwasdistributedtobusinessesinJuly2011promotingtheBID.

• TheBIDproducedaseriesofarticleswhichwerepublishedinthelocalnewspaper,highlightingtheactivities of several BIDs across Scotland as a way of informing the businesses in Dunoon of what a BID could potentially deliver.

• TheBIDproducedaFestiveFlyerinDecember2011aspartofacoordinatedmarketingcampaignandwhichwasdistributedbylocalbusinessesandintheBurghHall.TheFlyerpromotedtheactivitiesofbusinessesandeventsinDunoontowncentreduringthemonthofDecemberleadinguptoChristmas.

• MorepersonalvisitstobusinesseswereconductedbythenewDevelopmentManager(whobeganworkinginApril2012afterahiatusof6monthssincethepreviousDevelopmentManagerresigned).TwonewSteeringGroupmemberswererecruitedfromtowncentrebusinesses,onefromtheretailsector and a café owner.

6

• 3Networkingeveningswereheldandwereverywellattended:• 8thMay2012–35peopleattendedtohear:

• EddyGraham,DirectorofIBPStrategyandResearch,whopresentedtheresultsoftheQuestionnaire Survey.

• AlastairMitchell,BIDManagerof“FalkirkDelivers”,abouttheworkofaBID.• 31stJuly2012–32peopleattendedtohearoftheworktheBIDinseekingadditionalcruise

shipsintotheHolyLochMarina.BillGibbons,DirectorofthePassengerShippingAssociationgave a presentation and attendees were also given the timetable for the BID to go to ballot.

• 4thSeptember2012–34peopleattendedtobeinformedoftheBIDlevyandthedraftBusinessPlan.CommentsfromtheattendeeswereincorporatedintheBusinessPlan.

• Thecreationofa“DestinationDunoon”windowvinylpromotingmajoreventsandfestivalsforaprominently located empty shop was promoted through the local newspaper to show what a BID could dotosolvetwoproblems:makeanemptyshoplookmorevisuallyattractiveandpromotehighprofileeventsinDunoonin2012.

• TheshopvinyldesignwaslaterdesignedasapostcardtomaintaintheBIDbrandassociationandmailedtoeverybusinessinvitingthemtotheNetworkingmeetingson31stJuly2012and4thSeptember2012.

• Thecreationofa“DestinationDunoon”Facebookpageasa“shoplocalDunoon”initiative.TheFacebookpagehas47“Likes”todate.ThiswasalsoadvertisedintheBurghHallnewspaperwhichisdeliveredtoeachhouseandcommercialpremisesintheDunoonandSandbankarea.

• Aletterwaspostedon15thNovember2012toallbusinessesonthedatabasetoinformthemthatArgyllandButeCouncilhadformallyapprovedtheBusinessPlanatitsmeetingon25thOctober2012.TheletteralsoconfirmedthattheCouncilhadatthesamemeetingformallyapprovedtheadditionalcontributionof£15,000perannumfor5yearstowardstheBusinessPlanandwhichallowedtheBIDdevelopment process to move forward to the next phase.

• A6pageNewsletterwaspostedtoallbusinessesonthedatabaseinDecember2012summarisingtheBusinessEngagementprocessandoutliningtheBIDobjectives,plansandprojects.

PA23BIDNetworkingmeeting.


Summary of services already provided by the Public Sector –BID projects do not duplicate or replace public services

Forclarificationpurposes,theproposedBIDprojectsandinitiativesmustbeadditionaltothosealreadyprovidedbyArgyllandButeCouncilandStrathclydePoliceandtoensurethereisnoduplication.

TheCouncilprovidesthefollowingserviceswithintheBIDareaare:

• Publicconveniences;

• StreetCleansingandLitterBinEmptying;

• CommercialWasteCollections;

• HorticulturalandGroundsMaintenanceWorks;

• Roadsignageandstreetfurniture;

• Roads,pavementsandcarparkmaintenance (including winter maintenance)

• Streetlightingmaintenance;

• FestiveLighting.

The following services already provided by Strathclyde Police:

• 24/7Policingresponsesplitbetween5distinctcorepolicinggroups;

• DedicatedpolicingduringPeakTimes;

• DaytimeandNighttimecrimeanddisorder;

• Enhancedpolicinglevelsduringspecialevents;

• OperationandcontrolofthetowncentreCCTVsystem;

• Liaisonwithpartneragenciesandothergroups;

• CrimePrevention–advice.

TheBallot–Howthevotingprocessworks

• ArgyllandButeCouncilisresponsibleformanagingtheballot,toensureitisdonefairlyandisnotinfluencedbyPA23BID.

• From17thJanuary2013to28thFebruary2013,alleligiblebusinesses(i.e.thosepersonsliabletopaynon-domesticrates)willbeaskedtocasttheirvoteforthePA23BIDinaformal,confidentialandpostal ballot.

• Alleligiblevoterswillhaveonevoteorwhereaneligiblevoterhasmorethanonebusiness,thatindividualshallbeeligibletocastmorethanonevote,howevertheywillberequiredtopaythelevyfor each of the properties that they occupy.

• Aballotpaperwillbesenttoeachrateablebusiness,tobecompletedbyplacingacrossineithera‘YES’or‘No’box,asaresponsetothequestion‘AreyouinfavourofthePA23BIDImprovementDistrict proposals?’

• Theballotpapershouldbesignedbythepersonwhocompleteditandreturnedinthepre-addressedpostage-paidenvelopeby5pmonThursday28thFebruary2013.Ballotsreceivedafter5pmonthe28thFebruary2013willnotbecountedandwillbevoid.

Ifabusinesshasmorethanonerateablepropertyitwillreceiveaballotpaperforeachproperty.Eachpapercountsasonevote.ItisimportantthatEVERYpaperreceivediscompletedandreturned.Wheretheproperty is vacant the ballot paper will be sent to the owner of the property as the eligible person entitled to vote.

8

The BID Area

ThefortunesoftheDunoonandSandbankareaareintertwinedwithitsimmediatehinterlandwhichincludestheretail,leisure,hospitality,tourismandmarineandengineeringsectors.TheBIDareawillthereforeruneastoftheA885SandbankRoadfromtheHolyLochMarinatothenorthtotheAbbot’sBraeHoteltothesouth,incorporatingallbusinessesinbetween.

TheServicesLevelAgreementsbetweenthenewBIDcompanyandArgyllandButeCouncilandStrathclydePolice as stated in the previous section will extend throughout the whole of the BID area.

© Nicolson Maps PU398098© Crown copyright reserved

Based on the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Unauthorised reproduction by any means infringes copyright.The grid on this map is the National Grid taken from the

Ordnance Survey map with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

The representation of a road, track or footpathdoes not guarantee a public right of way.

Every effort has been made to ensure thatthis map is correct at the time of printing,

the publisher, however, accepts noresponsibility for errors or omissions,changes in the detail given or for any

loss or expense thereby incurred.


PA23 BID area covers the following streets and roads:

AlbertRoadAlexander StreetAlexandra ParadeAlexandra PlaceAexandra TerraceAlfred StreetAllan TerraceArdenslateCresecntArdenslateRoadArdmhorArdtully BraeArgyllRoadArgyll StreetArgyll TerraceArthur TerraceAshGardensAshcraigAshCroftAuchamoreRoadAvenue,TheBeechcroftBelmontLaneBencorrum BraeBishopsGlenBraeBoglehaRoadBraeCottages(Sandbank)Brandon StreetBrooklynPlaceBroomfield DriveBroughallanGardensBroughallanParkBroxwood PlaceBulwoodRoad(Part)CammesrainachBraeCammesreinachCrescentCarolinaLaneCastleStreetCedarGroveCedarcroftCharlesGardensCharlesLaneCherryHillChurchSquareChurchStreetClydeStreet(Dunoon)ClydeStreet(Kirn)CoachHousesCowalAvenueCowalPlaceCrawfordLaneCrochanRoad

CromlechGroveCromlechRoadCromwellStreetDeercroftDhailling AvenueDhaillingCourtDhailingParkDhaillingRoadDixon AvenueDixonCrescentDixonParkDixon PlaceDouglasCottagesDuncluthaLaneEaglecroftEcclesRoadEdwardStreetEdwardPlaceElizabethAvenueErichtbankDriveEtonAvenueFairhavenFergusliePlaceFerguslieStreetFerryBraeFerryRoadFinbrackenFirBraeFircroftFountainQuayGeorgeStreetGladstoneAvenueGlebeAvenueGlebe,TheGlebeViewCottagesGlanallanGlenmoragAvenueGlanmoargCrescentGordonStreetGorsecroftGreenbankLaneHaftonCourtHamiltonStreetHanoverStreetHeathercroftHighRoad(Part)HighlandAvenueHillStreetHillfootStreetHunterStreetHuntersGrove

James StreetJane StreetJaycroftJessie PlaceJohn StreetoadJohnson TerraceKilbrideAvenueKilbrideRoadKimberleyTerraceKingStreetKirkBraeKirkStreetKirnBraeKirnCourtKirnGardensLadysmithTerraceLebanonPlaceLevenPlaceLilyoakLimecroftLochanAvenueLorimerTerraceMcArthur StreetMcCallTerraceMacDonald AvenueManse AvenueMarine ParadeMarlboroughLaneMarshallCourtMary StreetMassanViewMidgeLaneMillerCourtMilton AvenueMiltonRoadMinard PlaceMoir PlaceMoir StreetMountCarmelMurrayfieldNelsonStreetNilestreetOakfieldPlaceOxfordLaneParkAvenueParkRoadPierEsplanadePeirRoadPilot StreetPortRiddellPrimrose Terrace

Prospect AvenueProspect TerraceQueen StreetQueensRoadQueens TerraceRankin’sBraeRegentTerraceRenfieldBraeRobert’sTerraceRobertsonterraceRockhillTerraceRosMhorGardensRoyalCrescentSt.AndrewsSquareSalisbury TerraceSandaGardensSandbankRoadSanderson DriveSandhavenSchool BraeSheiling,TheShoreRoadShunaGardensSkyeCourtSommerville PlaceSpenceCourtStanley TerraceStrewart StreetStrone BraeTom-A-MhoidRoadUnionLaneUnion StreetValroseTerraceVictoriaCrescentVictoriaGardensVictoriaParadeVictoriaParkVictoriaRoad(Dunoon)VictoriaRoad(Hunter’sQuay)VictoriaSquareVictoriaTerraceWallaceCourtWaverleyHouseWellington StreetWest StreetWestfieldWilliam StreetWillow QuayWindsorLaneWoodfield TerraceWoodfordGrove

10

WhysomebusinessesintheDunoonareasupportthePA23BID

“The BID… ‘How is this going to help me?’ A question that no doubt a lot of businesses will be asking… try to think outside the box… to help attract success to any business in this town will help your business in the longer term… successful businesses bring in more people… more people need housing, they will spend in shops, they will use services of other businesses…so do consider this when it comes to voting. Also, look at the people behind this BID. They are professional, respected members of the business community in Dunoon, who have given up so much of their free time to put this BID proposal together. As the name states PA23 – positive attitude… this will help us all and will certainly have my vote.”Brendon Wallace,

Partner, BC Technologies

“Almost daily I hear my customers bemoaning Dunoon...”No more tourists”, ”Argyll Street dying”. The PA23 BID can be our answer to correct this. With everybody’s help we can turn this around. We, as the business community, can for the first time decide how we want to spend our money improving our town!”

Liz Donovan MacClure’s Bar

“For a small independent retailer it feels as though Dunoon is at a really critical stage. If, through the BID, we collectively do something which we can fine tune once we have started, we can possibly continue to flourish. If we do nothing and continue to blame others for any problems we face, in two years from now many of the businesses will no longer exist. I believe the PA23 BID offers the only opportunity currently available for businesses to take charge to improve the prospects for the Dunoon area and I am really grateful to those who have worked so hard to get the BID to this stage.”Dinah MacDonald,

Book Point


“Dunoon is a special place. I think that that is only really apparent to people who have lived elsewhere and then find Dunoon – but it needs help. It looks tired and rather unloved. I want Dunoon, not only to survive in today’s tough economic climate, but to flourish and build a foundation for the future. I want to see a town that looks forward and not backwards. I want to work with my business colleagues to ensure that the area becomes a destination of choice for residents and visitors alike. I want people of all ages to have the opportunity to work here and give them a reason to be proud of their town. The BID affords an opportunity to work together as a business community to do just that.”Jennifer Harrison,

Swallow Cafe

“This is a real opportunity for our businesses to collectively invest to improve our future. It should be firmly grasped and pursued. The BID is bringing together retailers, hoteliers and other professions and service providers to promote the wellbeing of our business environment. We must as a business community make it work.”

Norman Wright, Wrights Clothing and Footwear

“ I feel very fortunate to live and work in Dunoon and I want the best for the town. The BID would appear to me to be an opportunity for improvement too good to miss. I’ll be voting for BID.”

Steven Baird, W.E.F.

“I believe very strongly that Dunoon has much to offer as a destination of choice. However we must ensure that we, as a small town, keep pace with the more obvious destinations by ensuring we provide a range of activities and events and a welcoming atmosphere in the town for those that visit. The PA23 BID initiative gives us a one-off opportunity to work together in a structured way for the benefit of all Dunoon businesses and the wider community and most importantly, potential visitors to the town.”

Colin Macpherson, Abbots Brae Hotel

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WhoPaysandWhatwillmyinvestmentintheBIDbe?

TheBIDlevywillbepaidbytheoccupierofthebusinesspremises.However,thelevywillbechargeableto the property owner where a property is vacant on the day the levy invoice is issued. The table below indicates how much eligible businesses will be expected to invest in the Dunoon BID based on the bandings highlightedagreedbythePA23SteeringGroup:

Rateable Value of Premises

Annual Investment by Businesses Cost Per Day

Up to £1,000 Nil Nil

BAND A £1,000 - £9,999 £200 £0.55

BAND B £10,000 - £15,999 £325 £0.89

BAND C £16,000 - £23,999 £475 £1.30

BAND D £24,000 - £39,999 £595 £1.63

BAND E £40,000 - £48,999 £795 £2.18

BAND F £49,000 - £63,999 £995 £2.93

BAND G £64,000 - £110,999 £1,495 £4.09

BAND H £111,000 + £1,995 £5.47

ThePA23BIDSteeringGroupagreedtouseafeestructureasabovetocalculatethelevycharged. The reasons behind this are as follows:

• Thelevypaymentsmustadduptotheamountrequiredtodeliverthebusinessplan.

• Abandingsystemwaschosenasitrepresentsasimpleandeasywayforbusinessestoidentifytheirlevypayment,providesforeaseofcollectionandrepresentsafairandreasonablemethodology.Everybodybenefitsthereforeeverybodypays.

• Aminimumpaymentof£200(£0.55perday)isbelievedtobeaffordableforthesmallestbusinesses as they may be benefiting from the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

• Amaximumof£1,995isbelievedtobeaffordableforthebusinessesatthehigherendofthebanding.

WhowillcollecttheBIDInvestmentLevy?YourBIDinvestmentlevywillbecollectedbyArgyllandButeCouncil.Theinvoicewillbepayableeitherinasinglepaymentwiththepaymentdue28daysfromthedateofinvoiceorin2instalments.Intheeventofanynon-paymentoftheBIDinvestmentlevy,itwillbestronglypursuedbyArgyllandButeCounciltoensurecompletefairnesstoallthebusinessesthathavepaid.Feesmaybechargedaslaiddownbystatute.Allpropertiesliabletopaynon-domesticratesandlistedontheLocalAssessorsValuationRollonthedayoftheballotwillbeliabletopaytheBIDinvestmentlevy,exceptforthoselistedasExclusionsandExemptions.

TheBIDlevywillbepaidbytheoccupierofthepremises.However,thelevywillbechargeabletotheproperty owner where a property is vacant on the day the levy invoice is issued.

Exclusions and ExemptionsTheSteeringGroupagreedthatthefollowingwillbeexemptfrompayingthelevy:placesofworship,non-retailcharitableorganisations,Hospital,Ambulance,Fire,Coastguard,Courthouse,PoliceStation,JobCentre,Careersoffice,voluntaryclubs,theMuseum,educationalandsocialcareestablishments,andpropertieswithrateablevaluesofunder£1,000.Thepropertieswhichfallintothislistofexclusionswillnot a have a vote in the ballot.


BID Income and Expenditure

Itiscalculatedthatthereare447eligiblepropertieslocatedwithinthePA23BIDarea(thisfiguremaychangeasbusinessesmove,expandorclose).BasedontheBIDlevytableagreedbytheSteeringGroup,theBIDlevyincomeiscalculatedtobeapproximately£129,000perannum.CurrentScottishcollectionratesfortheBIDlevyareabout95%.Withthisinmind,anamounthasbeensetasideinthebudgetunder‘contingency’ to recover any bad debt. The new BID Board will agree on an annual basis how the funds willbespentforthecomingyear.ThiswillenabletheBIDtobeflexibletorespondtoanychangeincircumstancesandtomeetbusinessneeds.TheBIDBoardwillhavetheauthoritytomakerelevantvariationstoprojectsandserviceswithinbudgetsfortheefficientandeffectiveoperationofthecompanyandinlinewith good business practice without the need for an alteration ballot.

Argyll and Bute Council will collect the levy payments on behalf of the PA23 BID who will retain these funds in a separate interest bearing account until the BID Board calls these funds down to deliver the projects and services. This arrangement will ensure the financial transactions of the BID Company are transparent and answerable to the business levy payers in the BID area.

Theimprovementlevywillmakeiteasiertoobtainothersourcesoffundingforspecificprojectsand these opportunities will be pursued. PA23 BID aims to attract other investment, sponsorship and tradingincometoincreasetheamountavailabletospendonprojectsastheydevelop(e.g.LEADER,EventScotland,VisitScotland,theBIGLotteryFundetc).

ThetablebelowindicatestheanticipatedBIDlevyincomefromthe447eligiblebusinesspremiseswouldbe£129,000andanadditionalcontributionof£15,000fromArgyllandButeCouncil,andhowthattotalof£144,000wouldbespentacrossanumberofthemesfortheDunoonBIDoveraperiodof5years:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 TOTAL

BID Levy £129,000 £129,000 £129,000 £129,000 £129,000 £645,000

Argyll and Bute Council £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £75,000

Total Income £144,000 £144,000 £144,000 £144,000 £144,000 £720,000

Project Cost Headings :

Marketing, Promotions & Events £82,500 £82,500 £82,500 £82,500 £82,500 £412,500

Business Support £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £50,000

Advocacy Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

Communications £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £15,000

Resourcing the Company £39,000 £39,000 £39,000 £39,000 £39,000 £195,000

BID Projects Total £134,500 £134,500 £134,500 £134,500 £134,500 £672,500

Contingency £9,500 £9,500 £9,500 £9,500 £9,500 £47,500

Total Expenditure £144,000 £144,000 £144,000 £144,000 £144,000 £720,000

*PleasenotethattheBIDBoardwillreservetherighttoconsideranindex-linkedincrease(RPI)everyyearatissue of levy invoices.

*TheaboveincomefiguresincludeArgyllandButeCouncilcorecontributionsbutdonotreflectanyadditionalincome/sponsorshipthattheBIDwillsourcefromotherfundingsources.

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PA23BIDMissionStatement,AimandObjectives

Objectives

• To create a well promoted and vibrant town centre• To increase customer spend• To attract more visitors• To increase the number and size of events• To create a place in which businesses thrive• To raise Dunoon’s profile by improving people’s perception of the town centre• To provide a strong local voice for businesses in the BID area• To help businesses make cost savings

Mission Statement “To help make Dunoon a destination of choicein the west of Scotland for people to visit and

businesses to thrive.”

AimThe aim of the BID is to deliver a series of projects and services

that will improve the trading environment in Dunoon to benefit businesses, their customers,

clients and visitors.


Marketingand Events

CommunicationsResourcingthe new BID

Company

PA23BID

Advocacy/Facilitation

BusinessSupport

Programme

Business Plan Context

TheBusinessPlanobjectivesarebasedonthefollowing:

1.MarketingandEventsAkeypriorityistopromoteandmarketDunoon,generatefootfallforthebenefitofbusinesses.

2. Business Support ProgrammeToworkasa“buyinggroup”forandonbehalfofbusinessestointroducebusinessbenefits,reduce operational costs and help deliver a business training programme.

3.Advocacy/FacilitationTo represent the interests of Dunoon and Dunoonbusinessesinmakingitadestinationofchoice for visitors and for businesses to thrive.

4. CommunicationsTo maintain contact with BID businesses in a variety of easy-to-understand formats on the progress made by the BID throughout the year.

5.ResourcingthenewBIDCompanyToeffectivelydeployBIDresourcestomakethe BID company operate to an optimum and maintain transparency for BID businesses.

The BID development process has been ongoing since early 2010andintheinterveningperiod of time there have been significant changes in the businessenvironment,withadeepening recession impacting on many businesses in Dunoon. The Scottish Agricultural CollegeReport,“RuralScotlandinFocus”(May2012),highlighted the many structural difficulties Dunoon’s economy faces and in fact put both DunoonandCampbeltowninjointtopplaceasthetwomostvulnerable towns in Scotland.

Encouragingly,inMarch2012,ArgyllandButeCouncilapproved the business case forthec.£8mrefurbishmentofQueen’sHallandpublicrealm improvements which

willhappeninlate2013and2014,givingthelocaleconomya boost. BT announced (in September2012)thatDunoonwould be upgraded to super-fastfibrebroadbandby2014,helping the community to o vercome the current economic challenges.ItwillmakeDunoon and the wider Argyll area a better place to do business from. The consumer researchundertakenbyPA23BIDin2011indicatedthescenic location of Dunoon and the surrounding area as positives but with not enough todoasbeingthekeyissueforpeople not visiting the town. Paradoxically,2012hasbeenakeyfootfallgeneratorwithanumberofevents,festivalsandperformances by high profile artistesinkeyvenues:Queen’s

Hall,DunoonStadiumandtheBurghHall.

In response to the above, the role of the BID will be to generate a string of focusedeventsandmarketingdesigned to increase consumer spend in Dunoon from the local catchment population and offer businesses additional support through lowering operational costs and training opportunities. Critically, the BID will also workproactivelywithallkeystakeholderswhocouldhave a positive impact on the businesses and the business environment of Dunoon. There is a strong recognition by the PA23BIDSteeringGroupthattherefurbishedQueen’sHallwill play a critical role in the

16

re-branding of Dunoon as an entertainment centre within the Cowalarea.Asaneventspace,it will remain a cornerstone ofthemarketingandevents

activity of the BID to re-energise the Dunoon economy. Asaresult,thepartnershipwithArgyllandButeCouncil,TheArgyll&IslesStrategic

Tourism Partnership (AISTP) andtheCowalMarketingGroupwillbekeyduringthe5year term of the BID:

• ArgyllandButeCouncil’sallocationofanadditional£15,000totheBIDwouldenhancethere-brandingofDunoonaswellasthemarketingandpromotionofDunoonandtherefurbishedQueen’sHall,whichwouldalignwiththeCHORDcoreobjectives.ThiswouldbedevelopedwiththeCouncilthrough its representative on the BID Board;

• TheAISTPdrivesthepromotionofthewiderArgyllandButeeconomyinastrategicdirectionandhassecuredanumberofpositivelinesofinquiryabouttheareafromtourismoperators.TheDunoonBIDwillseektohavearepresentationonthiskeybody;

• AcloserworkingpartnershipwiththeCowalMarketingGroupwouldalsoimprovethemarketingofDunoonwhiletheprospectofadditionalcruiseshiptrafficwouldbepursuedwiththeCouncil,HolyLochMarinaandHighlandsandIslandsEnterprise(HIE).

Through the efforts of the BID to generate footfall and offer businessbenefits,andworkingin close collaboration with keystakeholders,thereisa

recognition that Dunoon will be much better placed to benefit from the dividends offered by Scotland’s“WinningYears”of2013(“YearofActive”)and

2014(theeagerlyanticipatedYearofHomecoming,Glasgow’sCommonwealthGamesandthestagingoftheRyderCupinGleneagles).

ThepercentageallocationoftheBIDbudget(£144,000)acrosseachtheme:

Marketing & Events, Business Support,Advocacy and Communications

66% (£95,500)

Resourcing

27% (£39,000)

Contingency

7% (£9,500)

Marketing & Events, Business Support,Advocacy and Communications

66% (£95,500)

Resourcing

27% (£39,000)

Contingency

7% (£9,500)


Key Themes, Potential Projects & Costs –Wherethemoneywillbespent

1.MarketingandEventsAkeypriorityistopromoteandmarketDunoonandgeneratefootfallforthebenefitofBIDbusinesses.

Projects/Activities Costs Measurement Benefit to BID Investors

Re-Branding exercise e.g. food & drink, niche retailing, tourism, events/marketing, emphasising the benefits of the CHORD project (as agreed with Argyll and Bute Council)

£15,000 Branding for Dunoon and BID, as well as the marketing and promotion of Dunoon and the refurbished Queen’s Hall; maintaining position of Dunoon as a Festivals town which would align with the CHORD core objectives.

Re-positioning of Dunoon as a place to shop and visit would drive footfall

Website (+ Social Media) £3,000 • Directory of Business.

• Website Hits

• Facebook and Twitter messaging of business offers

One – stop shop for Dunoon business information with proactive marketing through social media

Easter event and promotional campaign

£5,000 Survey of spend in businesses & footfall count

• Generate town centre footfall

• Encourage local spend in customer loyalty in “Destination Dunoon” brand

• introduce a loyalty towards Dunoon as a place to shop and do business.

• Range of events with associated marketing to drive footfall

• New events driving footfall into variety of venues (e.g. Dunoon Comedy Festival)

• Increased awareness of Dunoon as a place to shop, eat, drink and do businesses and visit

Classic/Vintage Car rally £3,000 No. of vehicles attracted; survey of spend in businesses & footfall count

American Themed event and “Independents” Day

£7,000 No of participants Survey of spend in businesses & footfall count

Summer Retail Coordinated Opening Hours : late night and Sundays project

£4,000 No. of participants; survey of spend in businesses & footfall count; no of coach party traffic

Dunoon Comedy Festival £10,000 No of participants : hotels, pubs, cafes, Hunters Quay Holiday Village, restaurants, Queen’s Hall; tickets sales; footfall and spend

Extend Cowal Highland Gathering £4,000 Loyalty vouchers redeemed; retail spend

Destination Dunoon Loyalty Campaign – vouchers, tokens, card

£8,000 No. of participating businesses; redemption of gift vouchers purchased; no of vouchers redeemed; use of loyalty card

Markets e.g. Arts/Craft, Farmers, Continental

£5,000 Two markets; footfall count and spend in businesses; advertising in

Christmas campaign – Lights Switch On, coordinated opening hours

£8,000 Survey of spend in businesses & footfall count

New Events/Festivals budget. £10,000 No. of new events introduced

EXPO 2013 – take a stall and/or work with Argyll & Isles Strategic Tourism Partnership (AISTP) to have Dunoon represented

£500 No. of follow-up enquiries Project Dunoon to the travel trade for 2014 itineraries

Total £82,500

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2. Business Support ProgrammeToworkasa“buyinggroup”forandonbehalfofbusinessestointroducebusinessbenefits,reduceoperational costs and help deliver a business training programme.


Business Improvement Grant – this is a seedcorn grant available to BID members to help with the development of their business e.g. uniforms, specialised equipment, shopfront improvement etc (criteria and amount to be defined and agreed by BID Board).

£10,000 No of grants applied for and number issued; impact on business against stated objectives in application; multiplier effect on local economy.

Small grant available to help BID businesses develop their business.

Training Programme – Business Management and Planning, Marketing, Social media, Shop Window displays, Customer Care, etc

Nil – BID works with Argyll and Bute Council and other key training providers to bring forward key training opportunities for Dunoon businesses.

No of businesses participants. Targeted training programme in conjunction with Business Gateway and proactively delivered by the BID

Media/Dunoon App package Nil – Group rate Level of benefit and no of business participants

Reduced promotional cost

Free cardboard pick-up for businesses via social enterprise

Nil – Group rate Level of benefit and no of business participants

Lower business overheads

Utilities, Credit Card machines Nil – Group Rate Level of benefit and no of business participants


Zero waste – recycling measures Nil – Group rate Level of benefit and no of business participants


Total £10,000


3.Advocacy/FacilitationTorepresenttheinterestsofDunoonandDunoonbusinessesinmakingitadestinationofchoiceforvisitorsand for businesses to thrive.


Vision/Strategy for Dunoon as a destination

Nil – BID works in partnership with Argyll& Bute Council

Present long term vision of Dunoon

Commitment of business to Dunoon based on known strategy

New Waterfront – fit for 21st Century (infrastructure, Amenities etc)

Nil – BID works in partnership with Argyll& Bute Council

Present long term vision of Dunoon

Make Dunoon a destination worthy of visiting

Assist Holy Loch Marina to attract cruise ships to Dunoon

Nil – BID works in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Holy Loch Marina

Attract cruise ships to Holy Loch and prepare a Dunoon welcome when required.

The growing cruise ship market is a known footfall generator for Dunoon

Work with stakeholders to attract major events to Dunoon

Nil – continue to explore the types of major events Dunoon would be best suited for.

Introduce new events Additional visitors and increased visitor spend to the local economy

Address Parking situation, town centre parking strategy

Nil - BID works in partnership with Argyll& Bute Council

Present strategy and issues beyond decriminalisation of parking

Encourage additional footfall into town centre

The BID would seek to leverage additional funds from other sources such as :

• BIG Lottery Fund – Awards for All

• Coastal Communities Fund

• EventScotland and Homecoming 2014 Fund e.g. development of and staging events

• VisitScotland e.g. Growth Fund

• Highlands & Islands Enterprise e.g. Cruise Ship

• Common Good Fund

• LEADER Fund

• Europe e.g. Atlantic Fund, etc

Nil – BID has a vital role in generating additional funds to its activities which would bring added value to businesses

Level of external funding attracted by BID and in partnership with key stakeholders including Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll & Isles Strategic Partnership, Cowal Marketing Group, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

The BID would attract additional funds to Dunoon in support of the BID vision of making Dunoon a destination of choice for visitors and help businesses thrive

Total £0

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4. CommunicationsTo maintain with contact with BID businesses in a variety of easy-to-understand formats on the progress made by the BID throughout the year.


4 x Newsletters £1,400 Circulation and response Maintain communications

Email bulletins Nil Circulation and response Regular communications matters relating to Dunoon and businesses

3 x Networking meetings £900 Guest Speakers; no of attendees

Business networking with speakers on key business issues

AGM £300 No. of attendees Report on progress for the past year and plans for the coming year

Annual Report £400 Circulation and response Measurement of Progress

Total £3,000

5.ResourcingthenewBIDCompanyToeffectivelydeployBIDresourcestomaketheBIDcompanyoperatetoanoptimumandmaintaintransparency for BID businesses.

Costs Benefits to Levy Payers

Legal Set up £500 Properly set up company with Board of Directors for transparency

BID Manager £30,000 The key individual to deliver the benefits of the Business Plan

Office : rent, BID levy £4,500 One-stop shop for Dunoon business

Equipment : IT, Insurances, Stationery, Furniture etc

£2,000 Required resources to operate a business

Management Accounts, VAT, Banking £1,000 Proper financial accountability

Auditors’ Fees £1,000 Legal Requirement

Total £39,000

6. ContingencyThe cost of collecting the BID levy has to be met by the BID while a contingency budget is good business practice.

Costs Benefits to Levy Payers

Levy Collection Costs (Argyll and Bute Council)

£5,000 The Council is considered the best organisation to collect the levy on behalf of the BID

Bad Debt/Contingency £4,500 Good business practice

Total £9,500


The new BID Company – whathappensifit’saYESvote?

Governance and ManagementFollowingasuccessfulyesvote,themanagementandoperationofPA23BIDwillbetransferredtoaCompanyLimitedbyGuaranteewhichwilloperatefromMonday15thApril2013.ThisCompanywillbemanagedbythePA23BIDSteeringGroupuntilanewBoardofDirectorsiselectedbytheBIDbusinesses.TheCompanywilloperateinatransparentway,answerabletothelevypayersinthearea.TherewillbeadetailedsetofprotocolswhichwillcoverthemanagementoftheBIDandbilling,collectionandtransferofthe levy.

AfullyconstitutedBoardofDirectorswillbeestablished,consistingofupto11directors.EverybusinessthatpaysthelevywillhavetheopportunitytonominatesomeonetobeelectedontothenewCompanyBoard.Itwillbepossibletonominateyourself.ThenewCompanywillberunbythebusinessesforthebusinesses.This Board of Directors will:

• beresponsibleforalldecisionsrelatingtostaff,contractsandotheractivitiesgeneratedbytheBIDCompany

• havetheabilitytoadaptoraltertheprojectsandservicesfromyeartoyeartoreflectanychangeineconomic circumstances or any new opportunities that may arise. This will be in the best interests of the businesses and without recourse to an alteration ballot.

TheBoardwillberepresentativeofthebusinessesandstakeholdersintheareaandwillactinthebestinterestsoftheBIDCompany.TheChairman,ViceChairman,CompanySecretaryandTreasurerwillbeelectedfromthebusinessmembersoftheBoard.Ofthe11DirectorsontheBoard,10DirectorswillbefromthebusinesscommunityandonerepresentativefromArgyllandButeCouncilandwillalsoincludeanon-votingmemberfromStrathclydePolice.Othernon-votingmembersmaybeco-optedontotheBoard at the Board’s discretion.

MinimisingriskTheBIDBoardwilltakeallstepsnecessarytominimiseanyriskassociatedwithPA23BID(financiallyorotherwise)byonlyusingreputablecontractorstodeliverprojects.TheBoardwilladoptbestpracticeinitsprocedures and be open and transparent in its operations.

ReviewandMeasuringSuccessThroughoutthelifetimeoftheBID,allworkontheBIDprojectswillbemonitoredtoensuretheprojectsproposedintheBIDBusinessPlanachieveahighlevelofimpact,andaredeliveringtothesatisfactionofthebusinesses that voted for the BID.

TheBIDBoardofDirectorswillmonitorandoverseetheefficientdeliveryoftheBIDprojects.TheBIDwillundergoanindependentevaluationAssessmentandAccreditationInterimReview(AAIR)ofitsactivitiesatthehalfwaypointandtowardstheendofthesecondtermtoensureitisdeliveringalltheprojectsandservices as detailed in this plan.

TheobjectiveofanAssessmentandAccreditationInterimReview(AAIR)forScottishBIDCompaniesisto

• giveconfidencetobusinessesandtheBoardofDirectorsthatthepracticesoftheBIDCompanyarerobust and accord with good practice and

• suppliesanaudittrailtosupportanyfutureevaluationoftheBIDCompany

The review recognises and accords with the Scottish BIDs legislation and the public and private sector environmentinScotland.IndevelopingtheInterimReview,BIDsScotlandconsultedwith

• keystakeholdersandorganisations• independentbusinesses• keyUKnationalbusinessesand• theScottishRetailConsortium

TheAssessmentandAccreditationInterimReviewisrecommendedbyBIDsScotlandasgoodpracticeandisincluded as one of the good practice elements of all Scottish BID Proposals and BID Business Plans.

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PA23 BID Steering Group

ThePA23BIDSteeringGroupismadeupfromacrosssectionofthebusinesscommunityaswellasbeingrepresentedgeographicallyacrossthearea,andincludesonelocallyelectedCouncillor.TheSteeringGrouphas provided direction to the development of the BID and to the two Development Managers. Advice has also beengivenbyArgyllandButeCouncilofficers.UltimatelyallkeydecisionsrelatingtothedevelopingBIDhavebeentakenbythePA23BIDSteeringGroup,whoareasfollows:

Euan Macdonald

ChairmanStewart and Bennett

Ian McNee Vice Chair

Stewart McNee (Dunoon)Limited

JohnOrr Treasurer

WestCoastToolandPlantHire(Dunoon)

Sam ColeySAMTEQ

GordonRoss

WesternFerries

Dinah MacdonaldBookPoint

Matt DownsHolyLochMarina

Colin MacphersonAbbots Brae Hotel

Jim Maclean

DunoonObserverandArgyllshire Standard

DickWalshArgyll and Bute

Council

Jennifer HarrisonSwallow Café

LizDonovanMacClures Bar

Feel free to approach any one of the above to find out more information and discuss why voting YES for the PA23 BID would be good for business and good for the Dunoon area

Contact: BID Development Manager: Sunil VaruEmail: [email protected] Office: c/o Stewart and Bennett, 82 Argyll Street, Dunoon PA23 7NJwww.pa23.org.ukfacebook: Destination Dunoon

pa23 dunoon bid business plan - argyll ... - argyll and bute · business plan 15th april 2013 to 14...

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