David Urquhart, joint managing director of Gordon and MacPhail, has urged the business community in Elgin to back the project.

Mr Urquhart is chairman of the Elgin Business Improvement District Scotland (BIDS) steering group.

His comments followed a meeting on Monday night attended by a good cross section of the business community.

The guest speaker was Moray MSP Richard Lochhead who outlined the £60 million Scottish Government town centre regeneration fund.

Following the meeting, Mr Urquhart said: “We have a great deal of ground to cover and we are looking for disciples to embrace the Elgin BIDS project and inform as many businesses as possible of the positive benefits the project will have for the city centre.

“For the Elgin BIDS project to be successful we require the commitment of as many Elgin businesses as possible and they must demonstrate this commitment by voting yes in a ballot later this year.”

If it wins enough support, the Elgin BIDS project would see every business within a geographically designated town centre area contribute the equivalent of 1% of its business rates into a regeneration fund.

Another meeting of the steering group is due to be held on May 5.

Mr Urquhart said the information from Mr Lochhead would help inform the BIDS business case.

Mr Lochhead said: “I was delighted to have this opportunity to meet with Elgin’s BIDS group, not only to outline the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration plans but also to hear about the issues facing our High Streets first hand.

“BIDS is in itself a Government scheme and has been successful elsewhere in being an important voice for the business community and a focus for town centre development. It is very encouraging how many local businesses are coming together and driving the BIDS project forward.

“The kind of projects that are envisaged being helped by the town centre regeneration fund would environmentally enhance the town centre and help promote Elgin as the place to be and to come and do business in.

“We are looking for strong bids from all areas and all size of towns with a clear emphasis on partnership working, economic, social and environmental benefit.”

Other towns in Moray are also able to tap into the town centre regeneration fund.

Further information on the BIDS project is available from Mairi McIntosh on 01343 563 493 and will also be online soon at www.elginbid.co.uk

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