Future of Kirkwall BID – public meeting announced

Town centre businesses that fund the Kirkwall Business Improvement District (BID) are being invited to a public meeting next month.

Kirkwall BID Ltd recently announced that a board of directors and chairperson could not be recruited for the company. Without a board and chairperson, the company cannot deliver the BID project and it will come to an end.

Gavin Barr, the OIC’s director of development and infrastructure, said: “Before that happens, the council is required  to hold a public meeting to which all BID levy payers are invited and at which all BID levy payers can make representations.

“As this will affect all town centre businesses, it would be appreciated if as many as possible attend the meeting so that the level of support for either the continuation or ending of the BID project can be accurately gauged.”

The meeting takes place at 7pm on Wednesday, April 15, at the Kirkwall Town Hall.

At the meeting a vote will gauge whether BID levy payers wish to see the project continue or come to an end.

If the majority support continuation,  BID levy payers will then be invited to put their names forward if they are willing to join the board of directors.  If an insufficient number come forward the BID project will terminate.