The City of Dunfermline committee has agreed to support Dunfermline Delivers’ renewal ballot.
This is one of the first stages in the business improvement district’s (BID) attempt to continue for the next five years.
Ballot papers, including a business plan, will be sent out to levy payers early next month and voting closes on June 20.
If there is a yes vote, the BID team has highlighted how it would continue to drive forward the town centre’s regeneration.
Committee convener, Labour councillor Helen Law, said the BID had proved a “huge success for the area.”
BID manager Lisa Edwards and events manager Chris Foote have drafted plans for inward investment, fundraising, supporting BID businesses and lobbying on issues such as rates and car parking.
Increasing the national profile of the town by representing Dunfermline in national forums such as Business in the Community, BID in Bloom and Purple Flag are also detailed.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The Courier newsletter
Plans to expand events like the Outwith Festival and food and craft weekend and support for other events in the town centre are in the pipeline.
Proposals also look at how creating a safe and attractive town centre will help generate footfall. Decorative lighting, already installed at sites including the Abbey, will be expanded.
Purple Flag initiatives to support the night time economy are on the agenda – the Pubwatch scheme, bus and taxi marshals and Safe Zone will be coordinated by Dunfermline Delivers.
Ms Edwards said: “We have shaped these proposals around the valuable input from our members but I would urge BID levy payers to keep giving us feedback and suggestions on how we can support their business.
“We are still at consultation stage. The business plan will be finalised and send to BID businesses at the end of April and early May.”
She said when talking to other towns she realised Dunfermline was lucky to have a great business community which worked together.
“We believe Dunfermline is bucking the trend compared with similar-sized town centres.
“Investor confidence can be seen in a steady stream of new businesses opening and the significant residential developments that are under way in Dunfermline.”
Dunfermline’s town centre BID was one of the first in Scotland when it was established in 2009. It was renewed in 2014.
It has delivered the cultural Outwith Festival and food and craft weekends as well as annual fireworks and Christmas lights switch on events.
It spearheads the Purple Flag, to ensure a safe night time economy, and has been the overall winner in the Beautiful Scotland awards category for BIDs companies.
With volunteers, it has a Business in the Community group as part of Prince Charles’ Responsible Business network tackling a range of issues.
It is behind the free WiFi in the town centre.
Ms Edwards added Dunfermline Delivers was continually contacting businesses to arrange meetings but welcomed firms getting touch either emailing info@dunfermline-delivers.co.uk or calling 01383 732226.
