On Friday 14th March 2008, Bathgate became the first Business Improvement District in Scotland, with the second highest yes result achieved to date in the UK.

Over 50% of the businesses in the BID area voted and a stunning 92% of businesses voted yes. By any measure this figure is incredible. It is an extremely positive commitment on the part of the businesses and shows a real determination by them to work in partnership with West Lothian Council and the Scottish Government to make Bathgate a better place to do business.

The BIDS team would like to thank the businesses in Bathgate town centre who gave their support in such overwhelming numbers to the BID project. Friday 14th March was the last day that votes could be cast to decide whether the businesses in Bathgate would adopt this new approach to improving the town centre and the result could hardly be more conclusive.

There is much to do over the next 5 years to deliver the projects highlighted by the town’s businesses in the questionnaire and detailed in the business plan and the BID team look forward to working with the business community to implement these projects successfully.