Several Cupar businesses have been hit with court action after refusing to pay a levy to be part of the town’s Digital Improvement District (DID).
A number of furious traders received letters ordering them to pay up within days or face having their earnings and bank accounts arrested.
The warnings from sheriff’s officers follow action taken by Fife Council, which collects an annual fee on behalf of DID company CuparNow.
It was set up in 2018 to boost the town through the introduction of free WiFi, a Cupar website and social media support for businesses.
The move saw Cupar become the UK’s first Digital Improvement District.
I would love my day in court to explain to the judge why I’m refusing to pay,”
Harry Cairney, Bonnygate Garage.
But a number of small business owners refused to pay, branding the service “woeful”.
While some paid after receiving the letter, Harry Cairney, of Bonnygate Garage, said there was no way he would stump up.
“I would love my day in court to explain to the judge why I’m refusing to pay,” he said.
“We’ve not been happy with CuparNow services and we don’t see why we should be forced to pay for something we don’t want.”
CuparNow said they were “saddened” by the traders’ comments, adding that the affected businesses had refused to engage with them despite repeated offers.
It’s steering group said the majority of businesses were happy with the service, with only around 2% complaining.
What is CuparNow?
CuparNow runs the Digital Improvement District, which began as a trial to see if a collective online presence could boost business in the town.
It has Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and posts on behalf of individual traders.
#shoplocal #supportlocal #keepitlocal #shopcupar pic.twitter.com/wGMqTJgKaL
— CuparNow (@CuparNow) April 26, 2021
After a 15-month, pilot, business people were asked to vote on whether the scheme should continue.
The ballot and count was administered and overseen by the Electoral Commission.
And while 60% said yes, many of those who voted against were small businesses and some didn’t receive a ballot paper.
Despite this, they are now all tied in to a contract and charged a fee.
Harry pays £100 per year and others pay more depending on their rateable value.
‘No-one is engaging’ with CuparNow
Harry described the initial ballot as “ludicrous” and claimed CuparNow doesn’t benefit him.
“I didn’t receive a ballot paper, and if I had I’d have voted no,” he said.
“Nobody is engaging with their social media channels at all.
“They put a post about my business on Facebook and it got four likes. One was me and one was my mum.
“If I post on my own Facebook page I get loads of engagement.”
My dog gets more likes on Instagram than they do.”
Harry Cairney, Bonnygate Garage.
He added: “Their Instagram posts get no likes and they have YouTube videos that have had no views.
“My dog gets more likes on Instagram than they do.”
David Wilkie from Jac’s Sandwich Shop agreed, saying: “It’s something I didn’t want and didn’t even get a vote for.
“It’s been forced upon us by a minority who did vote.”
Father and son John and Alan Fleming, of FX Simulation and the Penny Press Factory, export their products worldwide.
“It does us no good whatsoever to advertise locally so we don’t benefit from the services at all,” said John.
“It was thrust upon us and I’m a little upset about it.”
CuparNow says ‘vast majority’ are happy
CuparNow has hit back, however, saying it had been offering to speak to businesses and answer questions since 2018.
In a statement, the company’s steering group said: “We have reached out directly to those who we have seen complaining on social media.
“Only one was open to a meeting, apologised for the online comments and said they supported our work and delivery.
“Those who are now raising the issue of missing ballot papers are doing so more than 75 weeks after the ballot results were published.”
The group said the town’s business association had campaigned hard for Cupar to adopt a Digital Improvement District, which is run under UK and Scottish planning legislation.
“Some of those making complaints about the services provided are doing so despite the fact they have been aware of and engaged with the content we have created and shared on their behalf, in many instances liking it on their own pages,” they said.
“Some of th0se complaining do not follow any of our social media channels and are not subscribed to receive our regular business updates.
We are able to demonstrate how we can deliver the value of their annual levy payment and more.”
CuparNow steering group.
“As a result, they will not see the work being delivered 365 days of the year.”
The added: “If businesses are open to it – and the vast majority of them are – then we are able to demonstrate how we can deliver the value of their annual levy payment and more.”
Open meeting to discuss issues
North East Fife Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain has been looking into the issue.
And she will attend an open meeting in Cupar at the end of July, with all businesses invited. Information on a venue and times will be shared later.
Ms Chamberlain has urged any other business with concerns to contact her.
She added: “I have been engaging with all interested parties, including local businesses, CuparNow and Fife Council in relation to the CuparNow operating model and collection of levies.”
CuparNow said: “In the meantime, if any business has any questions regarding our service, they are free to contact us at any time.”