The BID area on Byres Road and Lanes

A BID is an initiative where businesses invest collectively in additional local projects and services to enhance their trading performance and environment. An operational BID leads to reduced costs and a better area for everyone.

The projects and services are funded through an investment of additional money paid by all eligible persons (i.e. the person liable to pay the non-domestic rates) in the defined BID area. Other contributions and sources of funding include voluntary contributions, the Local Authority, the Scottish Government and Europe. For more information, visit BIDs Scotland.

Byres Road & Lanes BID was set up in May 2015. The work before that included a thorough consultation process, a business survey which prioritised the views of the Byres Road and Lanes business community, the production of a five year business plan and a 6 week ballot campaign. Of the 129 votes cast, 106 (83%) voted in favour of the BID.

You can learn more about BIDs and our work by reading the FAQ.

Download Byres Road BID business plan 2015 – 2020

Download Byres Road BID business plan 2020-2025

Objectives of the BID

  • To create a strong local partnership that gets things done and make our voice heard.
  • To improve the economic opportunities and the trading environment for the businesses in the road and lanes.
  • To increase customer footfall, customer linger time, customer spend and customer retention.
  • To make the BID “cost neutral” by saving businesses money though collective working.
  • To improve businesses relationships with each other, the local authority and the community.
  • To market Byres Road to a local, regional, national and international audience.
  • To give businesses a strong, unified voice to engage with GCC on area improvements and lobby for changes.
  • To support local voluntary groups who working in partnership with the BID.
  • To act as a vehicle for attracting larger scale external funding.

Board of Directors

We are delighted to have elected directors who are responsible for the BID budget and overseeing the projects listed in the business plan.

The chair is John Turner of Janet & John. The other directors in no particular order: Chris Finnieston (The DRG), Robert Fletcher (Vision Express) and Alison Gray (Tesco). 

Additional representation includes Cllr Martha Wardrop (Hillhead Ward) and Keri Isdale (GCC). Further representation will be via invite to certain meetings with organisations including Byres Road Improvement Group (BRIG), Hillhead Community Council and Partick Community Council.

The board is also supported by three members of staff: Project Manager, Deborah Murray and Marketing and Events Executives, Jessica Stafford Cameron and Hannah Moore, who work as part of a job share arrangement. 

FAQS

What is a BID?
It stands for Business Improvement District and is an initiative within a geographical area where businesses pool resources to make their business better. BIDs have a statutory basis, mainly Part 9 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.

What is the area of Byres Road & Lanes BID?
It takes in the length of Byres Road,  including Ruthven Lane & Mews Arcade, Cresswell Lane & De Courcy’s Arcade, and the Byres Road ends of Vinicombe, Cresswell & Great George Streets.

How did the Byres Road & Lanes BID get started?
The BID came about as a result of efforts by Friends of Glasgow West and others to improve Byres Road. They created a group called BRIG (Byres Road Improvement Group) which included Glasgow University, Glasgow City Council, the West End Festival, and local businesses. The local businesses created a BID Steering Group, which worked on the BID proposal and business plan for a year. In terms of the legislation, Glasgow City Council were obliged to hold a ballot of the business owners within the proposed BID area. The ballot closed on 26th February 2015. The creation of the BID was approved by a convincing majority, and the BID came into being in May 2015 with the incorporation of a company limited by guarantee – Byres Road & Lanes BID Co. Ltd.

Why is a BID needed on Byres Road?
There are number of reasons. People who have lived in the West End of Glasgow will often say that Byres Road ‘isn’t what it used to be.’ Byres Road and its periphery used to be one of the finest shopping streets in Glasgow, but is widely considered to have lost this status. Very high rent and rates have driven smaller, independent, business, to other areas, such as Kelvinbridge and Finnieston, depriving Byres Road of its interest, diversity, and appeal, particularly among a younger demographic. Other factors, such as poor parking provision and unattractive public spaces, have contributed to this decline.

Are BIDs a good idea?
They certainly are. The first BID was in Canada in 1970. Now there are around 400 BIDs in Canada, 1000 in the USA, and more than 180 in the UK, including more than 30 in Scotland. The growth of BIDs worldwide is proof of their effectiveness.

What can a BID do to improve business within the BID area?
There are a large and varied number of projects undertaken by BIDs. Broadly these fall in to two categories: improving the volume of business, and reducing costs. A BID will: promote the BID area, and the businesses in it, by marketing and events; enhance the BID area by making it a more attractive environment for shopping; tackle specific issues that detract from the attractiveness of the area; and reduce costs,for example by reviewing non-domestic rates, and engaging consultants to negotiate lower utilities costs.

What is Byres Road & Lanes BID doing?
Byres Road & Lanes BID has created a new, vibrant brand: Visit West End. We have developed an excellent website – visitwestend.com – and we carry out extensive social media marketing. We give financial support to local projects such as The West End Festival, St Andrew’s Day Parade and also host events such as Byres Road Fashion Show, Outdoor Cinema in the Botanics, Byres Road Book Festival and Christmas on Byres Road. For a full list of our projects please read more.

Where does the BID get its funding?
The business owners in the BID area are charged a levy, based on their rateable value. The BID also received financial support from Glasgow City Council, and Glasgow University.

Who runs the BID?
The BID is run by a Board of Directors, and project manager Deborah Murray.

How do I contact the BID?
You can email us on info@visitwestend.com, call in to the office on 61 Byres Road or phone us on 0141 237 1134.

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