66 votes were received, representing 56% of member businesses. Of these, 54 voted in favour, giving an 81.8% majority in support of the BID.
The BID was first established in 2012 to enable businesses to work together to create a more vibrant, viable and sustainable town centre. The BID is managed by a project team and an unpaid voluntary Board of Directors representing a range of business sectors.
Living Lerwick's Directors and project staff would like to thank all businesses who took the time to vote and for their continued engagement, which is what makes the BID work. They look forward to working with members to deliver the projects, events and activities outlined in the new business plan.
The business plan was developed following consultation with businesses across the town centre, giving members the opportunity to help shape the priorities and actions for the next BID term.
During the consultation, it was noted that some businesses on the periphery of the BID area did not consider themselves as located in the town centre and did not wish to engage with the BID community. As such, the area map was redefined, and the number of businesses within the area was reduced.
Living Lerwick Chairman, Steve Mathieson, said:
"We are grateful for the continued support of our remaining member businesses and are delighted that the majority have voted in favour of a fourth BID term.
"This result demonstrates that businesses value the benefits of working together. Over the coming years we look forward to continuing to invest in initiatives that help promote Lerwick, support our businesses and encourage people to shop, visit and spend time in our town centre."
There are currently vacancies on the Living Lerwick Board of Directors, and member businesses are encouraged to consider nominating a representative. Serving on the Board provides an opportunity to help shape the future of the town centre and ensure the views, concerns and ideas of different business sectors are represented.
Following the successful ballot, a recruitment exercise will now be carried out for a new BID Manager. Realta Events Management have held the contract since January 2018 and advised the BID board last year of the intention to step down at this point. Business owner and BID Project Manager, Emma Miller said “Joanne and I have been working to deliver BID priorities and projects on behalf of member businesses and the town centre for almost nine years now. With various changes taking place for both of us outside of work, we feel the time is right to hand the baton on to someone else who will bring a fresh enthusiasm and new ideas to promote and support our town centre.
“We are grateful to those who have helped during the last two terms to deliver so many positive activities and projects within the area. There are too many people to name, but it’s been an enormous team effort and very few people are aware of even half the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make the loyalty scheme, trails, events, flowers, bunting, Christmas parade, tree and lights happen.
I wish the new Project Manager luck, and the member business much future success.”
Anyone interested in applying for the role can email [email protected] for a copy of the tender documents which will be available from early September.
The full ballot resuts are as follows:
The return rate in respect of ratable values is 52.87%
The return rate in respect of rate payers is £56.41%
Total number of votes cast is 66
The aggregate ratable value of each relevant property in respect of which a person voted in the ballot is £782,010
Total number of votes in favour is 54 (81.8%)
Total number of votes against is 12 (18.2%)
Aggregate rateable value of each relevant property in respect of which a person voting inteh ballot has voted in favour - £651,660 (83.3%)
Aggregate rateable value of each relevant property in respect of which a person voting inteh ballot has voted against - £130,350 (16.7%)