Five-year plan has gifted town with a healthy mix of daytime, evening and
business economy, writes Nan Spowart

Long with many other traditional towns, Bathgate entered the 21st century facing almost overwhelming challenges. While proud of its mix of independent specialist retailers, it was realised that a successful town centre could no longer rely on this alone. The centre needed to offer a healthy evening economy, an attractive daytime meeting place as well as quality office space and public sector jobs.

Under the banner of Enterprising Bathgate, businesses in Bathgate voted to become a Business Improvement District (BID) in 2008. A five-year plan was drawn up to be funded by a levy on more than 400 properties in the area liable to pay non-domestic rates.

"The key message is that everyone pays and everyone benefits," said co-ordinator Sam Crawford.

Most pay around £125 a year although bigger retailers pay considerably more, and West Lothian Council matched the investment from businesses. "Establishing a Business Improvement District has allowed the business community to invest collectively in their town centre," said Crawford.

The BID company has awarded 560 grants amounting to £320,000 for business premises improvements, £2.5million contributed from the businesses themselves.

The Bathgate in Bloom project has provided hanging basket displays and landscaped neglected sites while a Taxi Marshall Scheme has helped evening trade. The Choose Bathgate campaign encourages businesses to set up, re-locate or expand in the town centre. And an additional £600,000 was gained from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

"BIDs are all about community led regeneration from the bottom up," said BIDs director Ian Davison Porter.

"We offer support and advice and guidance to these local groups – quite often what they are looking for is a recognised structure and strong local partnership with local and national government that gets things done. It is quite a difficult concept to sell but once a BID is operational and people see how much can be achieved by working collectively and collaboratively they nearly all get on board. It is the collaboration and collective investment that enables people to deliver change and improvement locally. It is not just about the amount of money invested and jobs created. It’s also about the increase in civic pride and confidence in the community which comes about from people working together."

Some of the businesses which have benefited in Bathgate from the scheme include Artisan Cheesecakes which opened a shop in the town two years ago. It has since opened an Edinburgh branch and a manufacturing unit.

"I moved to Bathgate because I saw a town with great potential and the support I received from Enterprising Bathgate to help me set-up my businesses confirmed my initial view," said owner Wendy McQueen.

Another boost for Bathgate has come from the council choosing to bring services under one roof in new premises. Not only has this created a buzz in the town centre but it has also freed up old buildings that other businesses have taken over and adapted with the help of Enterprising Bathgate’s improvement scheme.

Award-winning estate agency Turpie and Co moved into an old West Lothian Council premises and renovated the whole building.

"The Premises Improvement Scheme provided me with much needed funding to help with the major refurbishment of our premises," said company owner Craig Turpie.

Added Scott Wilson, owner of Nautica, a long established quality menswear shop: "The re-generation of the town centre is a huge improvement to the streetscape of the town. It not only looks good but also improves the trading environment for my business".