“The World Will Be Watching Us” – BID for a Brilliant St Andrews

St Andrews town centre businesses are being urged to back the renewal of the Business Improvement District, securing more than £1 million of investment for the town over the next five years.

A Business Improvement District (BID), of which there are over 30 in Scotland, is a defined area where businesses come together to invest collectively in projects and services to strengthen the local trading environment.

If voted in for a third, five-year term, the St Andrews BID, which has been in force since 2016, will give levy-paying businesses the chance to continue supporting the town centre economy, improve the local environment and strengthen St Andrews as a vibrant place to visit, live and work. Crucially, the BID will maximise opportunities for local businesses in the lead-up to, throughout and following The Open Championship, taking place in St Andrews from 11–18 July 2027.

Ballot papers and BID Business Plans have now been posted to around 300 eligible businesses, whose properties’ rateable value is over £12,000, to be returned by 5pm on 30 July 2026.  Together, the levy payers would once again pay 1.5% of their rateable value each year, generating a BID income of approximately £220,000 each year and around £1,100,000 over five years. 

BID St Andrews delivers projects that go beyond the core services provided by Fife Council. From the work of the Clean and Green Team and seasonal streetscape improvements to flagship events such as The Big Hoolie on St Andrew’s Day and targeted marketing campaigns, these projects help increase footfall, strengthen the local economy, and enhance the overall appeal of the town for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

If voted in for a new term, the BID will deliver a range of ambitious projects to strengthen the town centre and support local businesses. A key priority is further improving the appearance, cleanliness and overall environment of the town centre, building on the success of the Clean & Green Team, with work underway to explore how this can be expanded and enhanced.

This will sit alongside a winter programme of events and health and wellbeing initiatives to attract visitors and support businesses during the quieter months, as well as improved signage, wayfinding, business support and training opportunities.

Debbie MacCallum, Honorary Chair, BID St Andrews, said, “St Andrews is one of the most remarkable towns in the world, but extraordinary places do not sustain themselves. They require vision, investment and a collective commitment, and that’s precisely what the St Andrews Business Improvement District exists to do.

“With The Open coming to St Andrews next year, the world will be watching us. It’s a tremendous opportunity and one St Andrews must grasp with both hands, not only during the Championship itself, but in the months leading up to it and beyond, creating lasting benefits and maximising long-term opportunities for local businesses.

“Over the last five years, the £1 million generated through the BID has supported a broad range of initiatives that have helped to enhance and promote this beautiful town, a place we should be proud to live, work in and visit. Without the BID, many of these projects and improvements would simply not continue, with clear consequences for both local businesses and the overall experience enjoyed by residents, visitors and the global audiences expected to arrive next year.

“To maintain this momentum and build on it for the future, we need businesses to make their voices heard. So, when your ballot paper arrives, don’t put it to one side. Cast your ‘yes’ vote and help secure a bright future for St Andrews.”

Chloe Milne, Retail Director of Fisher and Donaldson, added, “More than ever, businesses need a strong collective voice to represent their interests and advocate on issues that impact them across the board. The BID provides that voice, while also creating a forum for businesses to connect, share highs and lows, and turn ideas and opportunities into action.

“For us, the Clean and Green team is a hugely important part of the BID and something that could easily be lost if the BID is not renewed. With the volume of tourists and day-trippers we attract, it is essential that the town is clean, welcoming and looking its best. It’s difficult to promote the town effectively if the reality doesn’t match the message.                     

“The BID also delivers projects and events that individual businesses simply don’t have the capacity to organise themselves, like the Christmas Lights and The Hoolie. Without a dedicated organisation to coordinate them, these initiatives would either not happen at all or be delivered on a much smaller scale. It really is a case of “use it or lose it”.

If you have not received your ballot paper and BID Business Plan, or require any support in returning it, please contact the BID team. A series of consultation events for levy payers will also be held throughout June.

Telephone 01334 477697 – info@bidstandrews.co.uk – www.bidstandrews.co.uk – 42 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9J

Article Credit: Claire Granger PR