Moray businesses talk Elgin BID after its rejection in ballot
Businesses who rejected Elgin BID “couldn’t speak freely or be listened to”, a cafe owner has said, and began to wonder: “Why are we paying for this?”
However, a different business owner who backed the organisation has warned that its loss could cause a “far greater” impact than many expect.
We spoke to those on both sides of the debate over Elgin BID after it was denied another five-year term representing the town centre.
Businesses voted down the organisation by a margin of 52 per cent to 48 per cent, in a contest with a turnout of just 34 per cent.
As a result of the vote Elgin BID, which previously delivered the annual Christmas lights event, gull management programme, food and drink festival and farmers markets, has ceased to exist.
With the impact of the vote still uncertain, we spoke to local businesses about how they reached their decision and their opinions on what the future holds.
“You didn’t feel like your voice was heard or listened to.”
Laura Scott, who has owned the Ditsy Teacup café on Thunderton Place since 2018, has closer links to Elgin BID than most.
For more than a year, she served on the organisation’s board before the demands of her business caused her to step back in autumn 2022.
However, in the ballot, she was among the 52 per cent of business owners which voted against Elgin BID.
"I do believe in BID, and I think they have a place in our businesses, and our city,” Laura said.
"But, in its current form, it wasn’t working.
“And it wasn't a huge surprise that it didn't get voted through, for me personally.
"It is disappointing to see the demise of it, to see it not being here anymore, not having a voice.
"But I think the message was clear from all the businesses. It wasn't backed, and it wasn't supported.”
Laura said she decided to vote against Elgin BID because she felt the organisation was not taking on board the views of businesses.
“You didn't feel like your voice was heard or listened to,” she added.
"Businesses felt like we didn't really have a platform to speak freely, and to be listened to.
“The economic climate and other factors mean that businesses are having to work harder than ever before to try and turn anything like a profit.
"So, having that additional cost for something where I, certainly, didn't feel like I was getting value for money really made you go: ‘Well, why am I paying this?’
"The businesses that I've spoken to share my frustrations.”
The cafe owner expressed her sympathy for the Elgin BID staff facing unemployment due to the result.
“I feel for the team that have all lost their jobs,” Laura said.
“That is obviously not nice and it's not something that we, as businesses, thought about lightly. We knew the ramifications of our vote.
“There is a human factor involved here. It isn't just all about the businesses, there's people who have lost their jobs and lost their livelihood.”
However, despite her “frustrations”, the Ditsy Teacup boss said she may consider supporting a BID in a future ballot if it was done differently.
If a similar organisation is to succeed, Laura added, it would need to represent a broader range of businesses rather than just hospitality.
There also need to be “well-run events that are professional” and which show off the best parts of the town.
"On the whole, BID is a worthwhile thing,” she added.
"But if it ever comes back, there would need to be some changes to the way it has been run, to give businesses more of a say.
"BID needs to have a stronger voice within the council, more of an authority within the council, for it to be effective.
"If it comes back in a different format, and more productive, and more effective, then it'll be a good thing.”
Laura also paid tribute to the work of the organisation’s street ambassadors, who were “very proactive” in keeping the town centre and listening to businesses.
Street ambassador Willie Duncan was a “really big advocate for businesses”, she added, and his absence “will be felt for sure”.
“I'm very disappointed…”
Lee Midlane has been running her business IT Central from its home on South Street for nearly a decade.
The businesswoman - who is an Elgin BID director and board member - said she was “very surprised” that the organisation had been voted down.
“I'm very disappointed, because I've had a good working relationship with Elgin BID for the 10 years that my business IT Central has been here,” she said.
Since starting IT Central, Lee said, the organisation had supported her in several key ways.
“We had times where we were looking to do renovation work on the building and we were having difficulty communicating with the council,” she added.
“They actually mediated for us.
“They were able to speak to the right people that I couldn't speak to and actually got answers that I wasn't able to get.
“There were times where I needed answers to things and they were able to provide answers.”
The business owner also warned that the business community’s decision could lead to unintended consequences.
Among the impacts could be the loss of Elgin BID’s gull reduction program, farmer’s markets and the Elgin Christmas lights switch-on.
“I think it's quite short-sighted really,” Lee added.
“People are only going to realise what they're losing once it’s gone.
“It could be that the ripples of this decision are actually far greater than people anticipate.
“Without somebody to actually do the organisation and the licensing and all the permits and things for events, who's going to take that on?
“It's a skill set of its own and, as a business, certainly not something that we could organise on our own.”
In the leadup to the vote, Moray Council agreed to abstain on the vote for the first time after backing Elgin BID in three prior ballots.
Lee said this may have influenced the opinions of business owners and, as a result, final outcome.
“That was very disappointing, because I think it sort of signalled that they didn't have confidence in BID,” she added.
“And, if somebody was maybe undecided, I think that could definitely have pushed them to be a no rather than a yes.
“Because, if the council isn’t going to support BID, then why should you as a business?
Lee also runs a clothing business named Box Brand.
She said Elgin BID had a vital role in helping create the brands, by offering her a free stall at farmers’ markets which let her test new products.
The debate over Elgin BID across social media, Lee said, had featured “strong and inaccurate opinions at times”, including from members of the public without a vote.
However, despite her fears about what the loss of Elgin BID might mean for the town, she said she could understand why people voted as they did.
“I can understand it when you see the changes that the government is making with minimum wage and national insurance and everything else,” she added.
“The extra cost on small businesses is huge and I know for us, as a small business, the change of cost is like four figures a month.
“I think people are just trying to save pennies wherever they can.
“So I can understand that, when they weigh it up, it's an area where they can save money.”
