An Elgin businessman has questioned the value of an organisation set up to promote the town, and claims nothing is being delivered and their presence is nearly non-existent.
Richard Cumming of Sirology on Batchen Street has further claimed they blocked him from receiving emails after making a complaint, so could not participate in town centre promotions.
Elgin BID (business improvement district) is one of several organisations across the country designed to help local businesses improve their communities. It is funded by a compulsory levy that each business which meets the criteria pays. The criteria are set by the BID and there is no option to opt-out.
Its website says it works for the businesses in the city centre and tailors its help and support to its members needs.
Richard says he made a complaint about an issue which directly affects his business, but instead of resolving it, the BID stopped sending him information about the organisation’s activities.
He explained: “My complaint regarded a matter which directly affects my business. The issue I really have is how it was, in my opinion, handled. My issue with BID is not personal – it is professional.
Supporting our town centre businesses
“The team are paid to do a job of supporting our town centre businesses, promote them and fight for them. The board are also signed up to help deliver this along with their business plans – and for some time now nothing is being delivered and their presence is nearly non-existent.
“I have always supported BID, and albeit my levy is the lowest level – we are all cogs in the town. Last ballot I was actually Chair of Elgin BID and we got through the ballot with the highest level of support there has been.
Richard said the organisation could have made it easier for the complaint to be resolved: “They should have come to me they are just around the corner.
“Instead, and as I have heard from numerous businesses, the management is not seen. The initial issue which started this all could have been dealt with accordingly, but they went on defense and dug their heels in.
“I was after some time asked to meet the manager and chair, and I was given times in which I am open – I am a retailer in relatively tough conditions as it was the start of the year, which is always a quiet time – so instead of using logic they got my back up thinking it was effective for me to close to meet them.”
He said he discovered he wasn’t getting emails when a fellow business owner asked if he was attending an event.
“I had no clue about it. I emailed BID advising I would be attending and that it must have been an error I did not receive the information. Initially it was blamed on a database error, but then subsequent communications showed that indeed I was actively being excluded following instructions from their board.”
Sense of community
Richard said the work done by BID in the past had improved the town centre and brought a sense of community.
“We used to do litter pick-ups collectively with businesses and volunteers taking part. There were a number of events, flowers and bunting throughout the town and an active drive to bring people here and to spend time.
He asked: “Do you see clean streets, hanging baskets or bunting? Can you name the last few events – or did you come along? We have an amazing town centre, with an amazing array of businesses but what we should have, and are paying for, is a body to deliver us results, footfall, along with a clean safe environment to work and live in.
“Promoting us is basic level, but recently they posted about an event in Lossiemouth, on a Saturday – and no posts that day about spending time in Elgin. We don’t pay for them to promote out-of-town events, we need people coming to town and seeing what we do have to offer.”
“They should be advocating for our issues, such as parking charges, clean streets, anti-social behaviour as well as finding ways to make the town more inviting.”
Elgin BID’s next ballot is in the autumn.
Inside Moray contacted Elgin BID for a response. They sent an automated email which said they were on leave till April! They then followed up to say they couldn’t respond in time. We asked them if they wanted more time, but have had no further response.
What is your experience of Elgin BID? Have you found the organisation IS ‘delivering’ for the town? We want to hear from you. Contact us at editor@insidemoray.com
Picture: Richard Cumming with his latest levy bill.