Councillors approve renewal of Inverurie BID scheme

Members of the Garioch Area Committee have voiced their support this week for the renewal of Inverurie Business Improvement District.

The scheme is up for renewal as the inaugural period, which launched in 2017, draws to a close.

A BID is led by businesses for businesses and means that commercial properties within a defined area will be charged a levy which is then used for projects and services above those already provided by various parties including Aberdeenshire Council, Police Scotland, Visit Aberdeenshire and Bear Scotland.

Councillor Lesley Berry was the first to voice her support, saying that the BID had been "very successful over the last five years".

She continued: "There has been a lot of support from across Inverurie and the benefits are clear."

Fellow Inverurie ward councillors Neil Baillie and Judy Whyte were also full of praise for project.

The first term of the project has supported various events in the town, including the Big Sing and INtune music festival, which bring in external visitors.

There has also been work around pride in Inverurie, improving accessibility and protecting the local environment as well as creating a digital presence.

In order to apply for another term for Inverurie BID the We Are Inverurie group have submitted a new plan with their proposals for the next five years, which shows that a minor boundary change would increase the number of commercial properties included to 213 increasing the funds available over the five year period by approximately £14,500.

The committee unanimously agreed their support for the renewal.

The Council's Infrastructure Services Committee will be the next to consider the proposal on March 10, with a ballot of businesses making the final decision in June.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.