new premises improvement scheme 2015-16

NEWS
APRIL 2015
The newsletter of Enterprising Bathgate - Scotland’s first Business Improvement District
NEW PREMISES IMPROVEMENT
SCHEME 2015-16
In accordance with our Business Plan, Enterprising Bathgate will be running a Premises Improvement
Scheme in each year of its five year term. We are delighted to launch the new scheme and look
forward to the same level of participation as before from the businesses in our BID area.
To register you interest in the new scheme and obtain an Application Form either:
e-mail: [email protected] telephone: 01506 637537 or complete and return the form on back page.
This new scheme runs from 1st April 2015 until 31st March 2016, and covers qualifying expenditure carried out and invoiced
during that period.
Which properties are eligible?
•
•
Any property which is liable to be assessed for
Non Domestic Rates and situated within
Bathgate town centre Business Improvement District is eligible.
As a general rule if you are liable to pay the BID levy you are eligible for a grant.
When does the scheme start and finish?
• Each scheme runs annually from 1st April to 31st March, to coincide with Enterprising Bathgate’s
financial year.
• A new scheme will be available each year until 2017-18.
• Businesses can take part every year.
Which sort of improvements qualify
for a grant?
Any improvements to the actual property, whether internal
or external, qualify for a grant. Examples include:
• new signage
• replacing doors and windows
• painting frontages
• installing heating
• upgrading toilets or staff facilities
• electrical improvements
• replacing ceilings and lighting
• new flooring
This is not an exhaustive list and if you are in any
doubt as to eligibility please contact the Enterprising
Bathgate office:
Tel: 01506 637537 e-mail: [email protected]
Read
more on
the back
page
Enterprising Bathgate,
The Bathgate Business Centre,
Whitburn Road, Bathgate EH48 1HH
Investing in Bathgate Town Centre
Tel: 01506 637537
Email: [email protected]
www.enterprisingbathgate.com
www.choosebathgate.com
A FREE OFFER TO ALL BATHGATE BID LEVY PAYERS
Showcase your products and services on Enterprising Bathgate’s
new online business guide.
50 Bathgate Town Centre Businesses are already featured on
choosebathgate.com ... Include your business today!
You are invited to include your company on this feature rich online showcase ... at no cost to you!
MAKING IT EASY FOR CUSTOMERS TO
FIND YOU AND FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
LOOK GREAT ON ALL
MOBILE DEVICES
In addition to a general
introduction, the
ChooseBathgate.com
home page provides many
options to ensure that your
business information is easy
to find*
An A-Z business listing
uniquely presents your
page header graphic and
branding - immediately
highlighting your key services
and/or promotions - then
linking directly to your page.*
Similar to accessing Apps, visitors to
the site will be encouraged to add the
‘Choose Bathgate’ icon to their mobile
device home-screen, making ‘ChooseBathgate.com’
the first choice for finding buisnesses, products and
services in Bathgate town centre.
INCLUDE YOUR
BUSINESS...
Individually themed business category pages
include an interactive location map and
business listing for each category - linking to
individual business pages.*
Visit the site and if you would like
to be included FOR FREE
please email
[email protected]
PLEASE NOTE : It is a condition of inclusion in the Online Guide
that there is no overdue BID levy payable by the applicant.
If your business is already featured, please check over details and email : [email protected] if there are any errors and
let us know if you would like to discuss adding more content to help enhance the profile and promote any special offers, unique
services or update the products and services you offer.
*Example screenshots. Pages will be continually developed with additional graphics and functionality.
We welcome any suggestions and comments and look forward to working with you to create the ultimate
showcase for your business.
2
DISCOUNT VOUCHER
BOOK PROMOTION
FR
EE
O
to
a
ll B
Business Name:
ath
ga
te
BI
D
Contact Name:
FF
Le
vy
Address:
As part of the ‘Shop Local’ initiative and following the successful
launch of our ‘Voucher Book’ at the end of 2014, Enterprising
Bathgate are producing a book of ‘Discount or Promotional
Vouchers’ to be distributed to 10,000 local residents.
It’s proposed that distribution will commence towards the end
of May 2015 and provide incentives on the run up to the summer
holidays and into autumn.
Postcode:
Email Address:
Telephone Number:
Visit www.enterprisingbathgate.com/vouchers
for sizes, format and terms and conditions.
Spaces are limited. If you would like to take advantage of
this offer please complete your details below and return to:
Enterprising Bathgate, Bathgate Business Centre, 8 Whitburn Road
or email your details to: [email protected]
Signature:
Date:
PLEASE NOTE: It is a condition of inclusion in this voucher book initiative that there is no
overdue BID levy payable by the applicant.
Is Customer Service Important
for your business?
Bathgate has signed up to express interest in taking part in the World Host Regional Destination Initiative as part
of West Lothian, giving you the opportunity to be part of a customer service campaign that will build on the legacy
of ‘Scotland 2014’ and with 11 regions taking part across Scotland it will help to set West Lothian and Scotland
apart as a visitor destination.
Over 150 businesses in Scotland have already achieved
World Host recognised business status and are reporting
positive results:
Over the next few months, Visit West Lothian, in association
with local partners, will be offering the world-renowned World
Host customer service programmes in Bathgate. The aim
is to help all businesses within the Bathgate visitor economy
achieve World Host status: a recognised badge for excellent
customer service.
• Increased revenue, average spend and net sales
• Increased repeat business and referrals
• Better customer service ratings and/or quality
assurance scores
• Increased staff motivation and satisfaction
• Reduced absenteeism and staff turnover levels
• Positive PR opportunities
• Ability to display the World Host recognised business
logo on all business-related collateral, websites and
other promotional/sales materials
The aim is to encourage Bathgate businesses to work together
to improve the quality of service across our visitor economy,
which will not only help showcase our unique offerings, and
that which makes your business and Bathgate great, but to also
deliver significant benefits to your bottom line!
This is a real opportunity for Bathgate and one that will create
a real boost for the local economy. To date there has been
over 9,000 people trained in Scotland, including 3,000
ScotRail staff in preparation for last years’ Commonwealth
Games – and your own staff could be next!
• Business/Company employ less than 100
staff members (FTE)
Your Business could also benefit from subsidy available for
these training courses if your business meets the eligibility
criteria, (http://scotland.worldhost.co.uk/) some of which are
as follows :–
• Business/Company is based in Scotland and
is not part of a UK or International Group
• Business/Company does not receive any
other public funding
If you are interested, or wish to find out more then please contact:
[email protected]
3
ER
Pa
ye
r
s
Bathgate Street Pastors
Looking Back… and Forward to Success
In illustrating the dedication and work involved, an
extract from the Bathgate Street Pastors Facebook
page shows their listening, care and commitment to
the Bathgate community:
2014 has been an incredible year for the volunteers at Bathgate
Street Pastors. Looking back they celebrated: Runners- up in STV/
RBS Finding Scotland’s” Real Heroes” Campaign; being presented
with the West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway “Charity Group of
the Year” Award, alongside increasing presence on the town centre
streets both in Patrol Dates and in the number of observers and
potential recruits. The Street Pastors also worked tirelessly behind
the scenes: visits to local community groups interested in the work,
fundraising events and most importantly, they continue to meet and
help those in community in many different ways.
What will 2015 bring?
Firstly, the Street Pastors will be out in Bathgate town centre on more
evenings than the initial last Saturday of every month. This enhanced
presence will be facilitated through further volunteer training
packages and a series of additional fundraising activities. The group
also has a new Committee to continue to drive forward the initiative,
with opportunities available to increase membership and recruit new
volunteers to continue the great work. There is further excitement
ahead, as the group have been invited to the Queen’s Garden Party in
June 2015 in recognition of their outstanding work and time.
“Please could you pass on my sincere thanks
the street pastors, who found my son alone
in an alleyway on Saturday evening after
spending an evening out with his friends.
They thankfully called an ambulance for him
as he was found ‘fitting’ on the pavement.
After hospitalisation it was found that he had
substances in his blood which he had not taken
voluntarily. This has deeply affected his selfesteem and shocked me as a parent. Without
this act of kindness by these wonderful people,
both me and his father dread to think what
could have happened to him. Once again we
cannot thank them enough and realise they
voluntarily give up their own time to care and
support others, which is indeed a valuable and
wonderful service to offer. God bless each and
every one of them.
Thank you very much once again.” (Anon)
The Street Pastors have been supported from inception to operation by Enterprising Bathgate, alongside West Lothian
Council, Police Scotland, local businesses and the Bathgate community. Whilst the Street Pastors have had to say goodbye
to some friends over the last year, to pastures new, the multi-stakeholder partnership and support continues throughout
2015 and beyond.
A new Policing model has been introduced into the Lothian and
Scottish Borders Division of Police Scotland.
This new model aims to provide the most resilient,
flexible and effective service possible, matching
demand with resource distribution and enhancing
community­
policing teams to meet local needs
and concerns. We will have more officers on duty
over core demand periods dealing with local Ward
based priorities.
These officers will be deployed primarily on foot
and cycle patrols deployed in Multi-Member Ward
(MMW) areas. The changes support the need
to deploy visible resources at the most effective
times to deliver on ‘Police Scotland Priorities’ and
to maximise value, service accessibility and public
reassurance.
4
The new model has aligned shift patterns between
Response and Community Policing where
previously they rarely coincided. This alignment
supports Police Scotland ethos of a supportive
total Policing method.
Local policing in Bathgate will continue to be led by
Police Inspector Drew Elliot supported by Sergeant
John Fleming. Their depth of local knowledge and
community focus will assist the new Community
Policing Team Sergeant Derek Long as they all
look to develop and improve existing policies such
as the Safer Bathgate Night Time economy detail
and local tasking to deal with issues for residents,
local traders and visitors to Bathgate’.
Blooming Bathgate
Bathgate in Bloom is expanding
its hanging baskets stations this
year from the 44 stations we
currently have to 57 stations.
The new basket locations will be
sited on Whitburn Road, along
Edinburgh Road to the rail station
and on Academy Street. This
has been possible by the part
funding and work carried out by
Enterprising Bathgate and reflects
the ever changing shape of our
town centre.
We are very fortunate to have willing sponsors whose contributions
fund the maintenance of the baskets. Members of the Bathgate
Rotary look after the plant containers and troughs at the rail station
and West Lothian Council supply the manpower and equipment
to water and maintain the baskets. The initiative is an excellent
example of partnership working.
There is no doubt that this collaborative project enhances the
environment of the town centre by adding a splash of colour
throughout the summer months.
The cost per year to be a sponsor is £55. Each sponsor gets
their name engraved on a plaque attached to each hanging
basket station. Enterprising Bathgate has another 3 years to
run in its second term and ideally we would like our would­be
sponsors to fund their station for the next 3 years.
Enterprising Bathgate Looking Forward
To Working With New Partner
One of the biggest changes in Scotland’s transport
system took place on Wednesday 1 April, with the
handover of the ScotRail franchise from First Group to
the Dutch company Abellio. This includes the transfer of
employees such as those based at the station and depot
here in Bathgate.
The contract award comes with promises from the new
operator of improved services, facilities and ultimately it is
hoped, benefits for its consumers and users.
Bathgate is noted by Abellio as a key facility within West
Lothian and wider Scottish network.
Enterprising Bathgate, and our local partners, are delighted
to learn that the established ‘Adopt a Station’ initiative will
continue by Abellio, which forms an integral component of
the wider ‘Bathgate in Bloom’ environmental project.
Local stakeholders will look to work with Abellio and
Network Rail, to build upon established relationships and
seek further enhancements at and to/from Bathgate station,
for the benefit of our community and local economy.
If you would like to be one of the
businesses who support this project
please contact us.
Phone 01506 637537
or email us at [email protected]
BALBARDIE PARK, BATHGATE
Saturday May 30th
BATHGATE
2015
A BIGGER, BETTER
VENUE AND LOTS
OF GREAT FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT!
The
British Pipe Band
Championships
The
West Lothian
Highland Games
Hosting the the second largest pipe band competition in the world,
Bathgate welcomes over 5000 top pipers, drummers & followers
from around the UK and beyond. The annual West Lothian
Highland Games also draws in families, contestants and followers
from near and far.
Opportunities for sponsorship and promotion of local
businesses are available. Please visit the website for details.
bathgate2015.com
5
Further Boost
for Small
Businesses
Taxi Marshals
Enterprising Bathgate is delighted to announce
that the Board has agreed to continue funding
for another year (2015/16) the provision of Taxi
Marshals at the town centre’s King Street rank.
Are you a small business, a new business or perhaps
looking to take on new premises? If you can answer YES,
then further financial assistance may be available to you
through the Small Business Bonus Scheme.
The scheme has been established to assist smaller
businesses who use or are entitled to use (commercial) nondomestic properties with a rateable value (RV) of £18,000
or less per annum, and who may therefore be entitled to a
reduction or discount in their annual non­-domestic rates bill.
The Enterprising Bathgate team have once again
contracted Specialized Security Ltd, of Livingston,
to continue to supply their excellent service on a
weekly basis every Saturday night.
In confirming the continuation of the Specialized
Security contract, Tom Clements, Specialized’s
Director, commented...
For example: if the combined rateable value of any
properties (in Scotland) is less than £10,000 per
annum, you may be eligible for a 100% reduction
in your non­-domestic rates.
For further information, please contact West Lothian
Council Revenues Unit, or go direct to the West Lothian
Council website, where you can download a copy of the
application form to submit: www.westlothian.gov.uk/
Council_and_government/businessrates/2114701
We are absolutely delighted to have once again
been successful in the award of the contract to
supply Taxi Marshals to Enterprising Bathgate in
Bathgate town centre. The marshals along with
stakeholders play an enormous part in keeping
the Bathgate evening and night time economy
safe. The team work hard with stakeholders
and the public, so that people can relax in the
knowledge that they can come into the town
centre, enjoy a night out and return home safely.
Our team of marshals thoroughly enjoy
working in Bathgate and thank the public for
their help in making their role so enjoyable.
Bathgate Pub
Toasts Local
Success!
One of Bathgate and West Lothian’s most popular venues
has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Best
Bar None Scotland National Awards for 2014­15, which take
place on 26 March at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, to
find the best licensed premises in the country.
The Glenmavis Tavern on Gideon Street, in Bathgate, has
made the final cut under the ‘bar’ category award, and competes
against four other national finalists from Edinburgh, Falkirk,
Glasgow and Inverness.
Maggie O’Hara at the Glenmavis Tavern, put into ensuring that
best practice is applied at their venues for safety, responsibility,
staff training and a wider concern for the community.
Anyone looking for a good night out in Bathgate, and West
Lothian, should look out for the Best Bar None venues, knowing
that it has been through a rigorous accreditation process and
demonstrates a high standard of quality and service.
Best Bar None has been created through a multi­
agency
partnership with the purpose to celebrate and reward licensed
premises in looking after their customers and helping to improve
Scotland’s evening and night time economy, and it now has over
400 accredited venues across Scotland.
Further details on the Best Bar None initiative
can be found at www.bbnscotland.co.uk,
where you can also find your nearest accredited
establishment here in Bathgate.
The Awards evening is arguably the pinnacle of the Scottish
licensed trade calendar, and is a real recognition of the effort
that owners and managers of establishments, such as Tom and
6
Dementia Friendly
Communities
Alzheimer Scotland has been funded by West Lothian
Council’s challenge Fund to take forward an exciting and
innovative project to make Bathgate dementia friendly. Similar
projects have been run elsewhere in Scotland but each project
is unique in its approach. In West Lothian the prevalence
of dementia is increasing as people live longer and the
proportion of older people in the population has risen.
Dementia is a condition that changes the
lives of those diagnosed and those close to
them. People with dementia not only face
challenges around diagnosis, support and
treatments but also face real challenges
in their day to day lives. They may have
difficulties in maintaining contact with their
family and friends, going shopping, buying
goods and services, maintaining hobbies
and interests-the sort of activities that
most other people take for granted. These
challenges are made more difficult due to a
lack of understanding about dementia in our
communities.
A dementia friendly community is one where
people are committed to work together tip
respect the human rights of people with
dementia and to help them remain a part of
their community and not become apart from
it. This involves people from every walk of
life learning about dementia and doing very
simple and practical things that can make
an enormous difference. Dementia really
is everyone’s business. Recent work on
dementia-friendly communities has grown
out of national and international research
and policy development in age-friendly
communities. This research shows that
people with dementia and their families
choose to shop, relax and do business in
those places that make them feel welcome
and where support and assistance are
readily offered.
If people are not welcomed into activities
and organisations, the loss is only felt by the
commercial sector. Reduced use of leisure
and community activities may hasten the
onset of dependency on statutory services,
especially if loneliness or depression follows
on from a withdrawal from ‘normal’ life.
Therefore, supporting people to live well with
dementia as active citizens has benefits for
business, health and social care as well as
for individuals themselves.
A dementia friendly community
has been described by people
with dementia as one that
enables them to:
Find their way around and
feel safe
Access the local facilities
that they are used to (such
as banks, shops, cafes,
cinemas, and post offices ,
as well as health and social
care services
Maintain the social networks
that make them still feel part
of their community.
In Bathgate the project plans to work with businesses and organisations to identify ways to make them dementia friendly, provide training
to staff and help overcome the challenges that people with dementia may face. The project will involve the people with dementia and their
carers who will tell us their experiences in Bathgate both positive and negative. The organisations and businesses that take forward an
action plan to improve how they work with people with dementia in Partnership with Alzheimer Scotland will be rewarded with ‘dementia
friendly status’ and will be given stickers and a certificate to demonstrate this to the public.
If you would like your business or organisation to be involved in this project please contact
Aileen Eland | [email protected] or phone 01506 533 116
Bathgate Thistle Community Football Club
was formed in 2013
following an amalgamation of the majority of clubs within the town. The club has steadily grown to now
have player numbers at around the 400 mark. With parents, volunteers, coaches, supporters included it
is fair to say that the club will be one of the largest organisations in Bathgate. As a club we would like to
engage with the local business community in order to establish partnerships which could be mutually
beneficial. We’d love to have the advice and support of business people to
help us strengthen and improve the infrastructure and profile of the club, and
help us to promote healthy living initiatives
such as walking football for Over-50s and
soccer schools for pre- and primary
school children.
If you are interested then please contact club secretary James Drummond on 07734845462 or [email protected]
7
NEW IN TOWN
New or relocated business since last
newsletter issued in October 2014.
Cash Convertors (formerly Cheque Centre) ­
South Bridge Street
L’Italiano (formerly Amazing Pizza Company) ­
South Bridge Street
Kidzeco (formerly Big Bang) ­
relocation from King Street to George Street
Dream: U (formerly RK Hair) ­Union Road
Tatta Ltd (formerly Musclefit) ­Union Road
Allied Surveyors (upstairs above Aulds) ­
South Bridge Street
Hong Chinese takeaway
(part of former Volunteers Bar) Jarvey Street
Cafe Yum Yum
(formerly Madeleine’s) Jarvey Street
Glamorous Nail & Beauty
(formerly Blind Design) George Street
The Thai Massage
(above Santander) ­George Street
Hopetoun Deli (formerly X) ­Hopetoun Street
West Lothian Housing Partnership
(formerly Thomas Cook plus upstairs) ­
North Bridge Street
Live Kitchen (formerly BG Photography) ­
King Street
Kidzeco
BIDs Scotland
Gathering
The BIDs Scotland Gathering took
place on the 3 March and saw over
200 industry leaders from across,
business, tourism, towns, communities
and national and local government
come together for an inspiring afternoon
celebrating the growing BID movement
in Scotland.
Sam Crawford from Enterprising
Bathgate was one of the speakers at the
event and you can see his presentation
on our website:
www.enterprisingbathgate.com
PREMISES IMPROVEMENT SCHEME 2014-15
Another success story
Making a Difference
The 2014-15 Premises Scheme has proved every bit as popular as
previous schemes and Enterprising Bathgate would like to thank all levy
payers who participated. There is no doubt that Enterprising Bathgate’s
Premises Improvement Scheme has made an impact on the town centre.
If we maintain this level of participation over the next few years the whole
town centre will continue to benefit. We will see an overall improvement
in the visual attractiveness of the town centre as well as improving the
quality of properties available in Bathgate.
2014-15 scheme
Approved 81 grants totalling
more than £51,000
514 grants approved since
company was formed
More than £290,000
paid out in grants
Final Call
If anyone has still to complete their claim for 2014 - 15 please
forward the completed form and supporting documents to us by no
later than 15th May 2015. This date will be the final cut-off date for
applications under the 2014 - 15 scheme.
Register
Your
Interest
Here
Documented
expenditure exceeds £2million
I wish to register my interest in the 2015-16 Premises Improvement Scheme:
Name of Business:
Contact Person:
Address:
Telephone No:
e-mail address:
Enterprising Bathgate, The Bathgate Business Centre, Whitburn Road, Bathgate EH48 1HH
Investing in Bathgate Town Centre
Please return completed
form to :
Sam Crawford,
Enterprising Bathgate,
Bathgate Business Centre,
6 Whitburn Road,
Bathgate, EH48 1HH.
Tel: 01506 637537 Email: [email protected]
www.enterprisingbathgate.com