The Scottish government has promised to develop the tourism of the Business Improvement District (BID) in the Tweed Valley. To boost the Scottish Borders economy, they are trying to increase the number of visitors to this place.
It could see local companies pay a levy to go towards improvements benefitting both the community and the economy. Scottish Borders Council also said that it will provide support for the project’s development phase.
Chairperson of the Tweed Valley Tourism BID said that this initial funding means that they can now really get started on the project.
“When we applied for funding in the summer, we saw excellent support from local tourism businesses, all of whom recognise this as a means of securing a consistent level of funding to resource a targeted and effective tourism business plan for the Tweed Valley.
In the past 15 years, this place has seen significant growth in the tourism sector including mountain biking and leisure cycling playing a key part.
Neil Dalgleish, vice chairman of the BID, said: “It’s an exciting prospect – we have an opportunity to do something bold, innovative and unique here, which could dramatically transform the tourism offer and industry in the Tweed Valley.
“This project could help take the Tweed Valley to a totally new level of visibility and success.”
If the project is approved, the local authority will collect a compulsory levy which the businesses within the proposed BID area must vote in favour of before it can be established. The revenue thus earned can be used to match against other public sector funds to allow for additional investment.
