Clacksfirst Business Improvement District (BID) was formed as a company in 2008, following a Yes vote by the Clackmannanshire business community to take control of major issues that were perceived to be projecting a negative image of the area and impacting on business.

The BID term can only last for five years and, following positive outcomes at the ballot box in 2013 and 2018 the BID was given the mandate to carry on providing the services and infrastructure that it had set out to do in 2008.

The BID has gone to the ballot box again in March 2023 and been given the mandate to continue delivering projects and services until 2028, so now might be a good time to reflect on what the BID delivers to the business community. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst BID told us “Throughout the existence of the BID, one aspect has always been a priority for the businesses, and that is Safety and Security.  Prior to the BID installing CCTV in 2011, the BID area could perhaps be described as vulnerable to criminal activity. The BID’s co-ordinated approach to tackling crime has helped reduce reported crime since then.”

Clacksfirst BID will remain focussed on Safety and Security but there is much more to the BID than that. The businesses in the BID benefit from a free, weekly recycling service and the figure in the region of, at least, 700 tonnes of recyclable materials being diverted from landfill is impressive. As well as recycling card, paper, plastic and cans, the BID also delivers a monthly and free wood recycling service.

Provost, Donald Balsillie: “I would like to add my support and thanks for the hard work of Clacksfirst BID over the last 14 years in delivering the improvements to the local business parks which have been above and beyond what the Council could have provided.

Notable improvements include the provision and improvement of CCTV security cameras, signage and maintenance, defibrillators and training, recycling initiatives, salt bins enhancing our local business areas. I hope this work will continue and I wish you all the best for a successful BID”.

Prior to the BID coming into existence, the landscape of Clackmannanshire’s business parks and industrial estates was not being cared for, to the extent that signage had dilapidated and didn’t project the diversity of business, and the talent that existed, to potential inward investment.

Kevin said “After early consultation with the businesses in the area, the consensus was that investment should be made to enhance the appearance of the area. A more dynamic environment was created by removing signage that had fallen into disrepair and replaced them with the Clacksfirst-branded signage we have now. The signage is maintained, repaired and updated, in the. Without the BID, the reality would be that the signage, CCTV, recycling services, winter maintenance, defibrillators, our online training academy and all other measures put in place by the BID would cease to exist”.

In addition to the supportive measures the BID has taken to improve safety, security, cleanliness and the environment, Clacksfirst, through Scottish Government BID COVID resilience funding, was enabled to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the pandemic to the local social care community and businesses as well as the broader community, at the time Dorry McLaughlin, Chief Executive, Scottish Autism said “Scottish Autism is delighted and grateful to be receiving the supply of face visors through Clacksfirst BID. These will be used by our support staff when caring for the autistic people we support in the local community”

A fourth term for the BID means that it can continue to represent its member businesses for a further five years, Kevin added “We have never taken success at the ballot for granted, we need to make sure our members see a return for their levy investment and that is what we will continue to do in the next term. Of those businesses who voted, 79% of headcount and 80% of aggregate rateable value voted in favour. That still means 20% remain to be convinced that the BID has a value, and it is my job to engage in conversation with them to see how they can benefit, save time and most importantly, save money, from our projects and services.”

One member business that is happy with Clacksfirst BID is Lateral Dx, Managing Director, Richard Campbell “As a young business, Clacksfirst BID has been helping Lateral Dx from day one and, when ready to expand, staying within the BID area was an obvious choice for us.

Within the Cooperage Way Business Village, we appreciate even more the seamless support which Ceteris and Clacksfirst BID provide to help keep our team and our business safe and secure. It’s special being part of a strong, supportive business community and we take real pride welcoming visitors and prospective customers to our site.”