Over the past 18 months the Enterprising Bathgate Board and co-ordinators have been working to deliver a programme of projects and initiatives for the businesses in Bathgate town centre. Here’s a reminder of what’s been achieved so far:
- March '08
- Bathgate Town Centre becomes Scotland’s first Business Improvement District with 93% “yes” vote from businesses in the town.
- April '08
- Enterprising Bathgate Ltd. formed.
- May '08
- First board meeting held with representative board from large and small businesses and representing retailers, offices, evening economy, leisure and voluntary sectors.
- June '08
- Continuation of successful Shopfront Scheme for new businesses in the town. The scheme awarded over £44,000 in grants to 88 businesses and produced a total investment of £247,000.
- July '08
- Public Realm Design Guide commissioned by Enterprising Bathgate to provide a design framework for future improvements in the town centre.
- August '08
- Public Realm work project managed by BID co-ordinators.
- September '08
- First ever Bathgate Music Festival with Enterprising Bathgate one of the main sponsors. Event gives massive boost to evening economy with many new live music venues.
- October '08
- Enterprising Bathgate carries out 4-day public consultation to gauge reaction to proposals in draft Public Realm Guide.
- November '08
- Retail Radio Link set up with 16 businesses signing up to the scheme which many businesses had seen as a priority for many years.
- December '08
- Enterprising Bathgate sponsor Big Wheel entertainment in Bathgate, the first town in West Lothian to bring an attraction on this scale to a town centre.
- Enterprising Bathgate introduce new improved Christmas illuminations. Design a Christmas Light competition introduced by Enterprising Bathgate to Bathgate’s primary school children. First of its type to be introduced in West Lothian.
- January '09
- Public Realm Design Guide adopted by West Lothian Council as Planning Guidance for future works carried out in the town.
- March '09
- Following on from successful Shopfront improvement scheme, Enterprising Bathgate launch their Premises Improvement Scheme, assisting businesses in the town carry out work to the interiors of their premises. Additional funding was also obtained by Enterprising Bathgate for this project.
- April '09
- Additional incentives announced to help bring new businesses and improve shop and office occupancy.
- May '09
- Support for first ever West Lothian Run. First ever bus advertising campaign for Bathgate launched advertising the town’s events to a wider audience.
- June '09
- Enterprising Bathgate makes joint application to Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
- July '09
- Car Sticker competition introduced by Enterprising Bathgate to further raise awareness of events in town. Competition ran for 10 weeks with £100 cash prizes given out each week to owners of vehicles spotted in the town with advertising stickers.
- September '09
- Additional support to establish Music Festival as an annual event.
- October '09
- First ever Halloween Event introduced by Enterprising Bathgate brought hundreds of visitors to the town centre for a family fun day.
- November '09
- Taxi Marshall Scheme launched.
- Bathgate awarded £600,000 from joint application to Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
- 92 businesses now participating in Premises Improvement Scheme, exceeding number involved in previous Shopfront Scheme.
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