Business organisation Aberdeen Inspired is seeking the views of its levy payers on potential projects as it begins its preparations for its renewal ballot next year.
In March 2016, levy payers will vote on whether or not the business-led initiative within the city centre returns for another five-year term.
In advance of this, and as preparations for the renewal ballot begin to take shape, the organisation is seeking feedback on a number of project ideas that could come to fruition if the renewal ballot is successful.
Earlier this year, the organisation issued a consultation summary document that highlighted the results of a widespread levy payer survey in which ideas from nearly 180 businesses to enhance the city were shared.
Results were varied, with ideas ranging from the introduction of more major festivals to the city centre to enhancing Union Street and lowering rental rates of units. The pedestrianisation of all or part of the city’s main thoroughfare also proved a popular suggestion.
Now, the organisation is looking to prioritise this idea list to potential projects across four themes – promoting our city, helping your business, attractive city centre and safe and welcoming – which will be used to shape its business plan for 2016-2021.
An additional survey has been issued to all levy payers to help the organisation in its quest to do this, and chief executive Gary Craig is encouraging businesses to get in touch to voice their opinion on what they want to see mapped out for the area in the coming years.
He said: “Earlier last month, we circulated the results of our consultation summary document which provided us with a wealth of information and useful data that will be integral in shaping our next business plan in advance of our renewal ballot in March 2016.
“In an effort to narrow down our options, we are seeking feedback on the projects that levy payers would like to see included. We’ve issued a follow up survey, which highlights a series of potential projects spread across four themes, but this is really a call for businesses within the BID zone to get in touch now with any requests they may have.
“Although we have a number of ideas in the pipeline, that may come to fruition should we be successful in our renewal ballot, it really is a blank canvas at the moment in terms of planning the road map for the years ahead. This year alone we are delivering over £1.5million of improvements and benefits to the area so there is scope to make major enhancements to the BID zone and city centre over the next five years.
“We want to ensure that anything the organisation does moving forward builds on the positive work that has gone before and the views of our levy payers are very much an integral part of this.”
Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district.
Further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired is available at www.aberdeeninspired.com