For those of you who could not make the meeting on Tuesday I have summarised some of the information from that evening. If you want more detail on any of the points please get in touch.
Shopfront Improvement Grant – This will be launched on 1st may and BID members can apply for a grant of up to £500 to carry out improvements to their premises.
Save money on Utilities – Guramar Singh from managing utilities in Shawlands talked about their free service to make sure you are saving as much as you can on your bills. They deal with large and small suppliers to negotiate the best rates. They will make sure you do not go out of contract on high rates. It’s free! so let them take away the hassle of negotiation with utilities.
New trade waste regulations – These will apply to Shawlands Nov/December 2018 with a result that businesses will not be allowed to store their bins on the streets. More info to follow….
Preferred Trade Waste Supplier – Changeworks operate in Edinburgh where these regulations are already in place, so their experience and flexible service can really assist businesses with these new changes. More info will be sent out over the next couple of weeks however if you want to get in touch with Changeworks before then let me know.
My Shawlands Gift Card – This was an interesting proposal that encourages money to be spent locally. It is an easy system for the businesses to use and if successful it could become cost neutral, even making money for the BID to use on other projects.
Free Social Media Workshop– We have negotiated to bring this free workshop to Shawlands to make it easier for those working in the area to attend. Monday 21st May 6-8pm, numbers are limited so booking is essential.
Funding and Grants – So far in year 1 we have managed to secure over 90K of external funding for Shawlands BID projects – will keep looking for more!
Parking – I have recently negotiated on behalf of the BID to have the new yellow lines removed from Regwood Street to increase parking spaces.
Hanging baskets are ordered – Some for lamp posts and others on shop fronts. I will be in the area to get permission where required next week.
Community Clean ups – Our first was very successful and we have a number planned throughout the year to make this a regular event. Can you make the next one on Sunday 3rd June 10.30-12.?
Joint Procurement – What would be beneficial for the businesses? Advertising space? Bags/packaging? Credit Card systems? Let me know and I can researchsome costs.
Website – A work in progress where I am adding links to all businesses.
Facebook – Let me know what is happening? Any Competitions, new products, special offers….I will promote this for you.
AGM – Planning this for 21st August
Events – We need your ideas, ours include Children’s theatre event, Buskers’ festival, Shawlands does Strictly, Health and Wellbeing, Hair and beauty spa day
Community Council – I attend meetings when possible and regularly keep in touch so let me know if you have any issues you want me to bring up. Keep me up to date with any planning applications so I can put forward a positive case for these or let me know if you want to attend.
Problems – with landlords, utility companies, Glasgow City Council and so on…Let me know in case there is a wider problem affecting others.