Issue - meetings

Update by John Weir

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from John Weir, Bute Business Improvement District (BID).

Mr Weir explained to the Group that the BID application was at the consultation stage with 128 businesses on Bute having received questionnaires, 71 of which were sent to people living off Bute who have businesses based there. The current return rate of questionnaires was 70% (the BID response rate is ordinarily between 35-40%).

He said that after receiving a high response rate to those invited to join the BID group, they now have 12 very committed and determined people selected to take the BID forward.

Mr Weir explained that he is hopeful that pontoons and moorings will be installed which will help attract the yachting fraternity.  He explained that talks were underway with Majestic Line and the Hebridean Princess around usage of the pontoons with the possibility of coaches to meet and greet people offering tours. The Group noted that the website www.isleofbutebid.co.uk  was a work in progress.

Discussion focused around travel connectivity and how the ‘brand’ for Bute could be explored through improved marketing.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    thanked Mr Weir for the informative presentation and noted the information provided in the presentation; and

2.    invited Bute BID to return to a future meeting to update the Group.

(Reference: presentation by John Weir, Bute Business Improvement District, dated 4 February 2020)