The man tasked with leading St Andrews retail revolution has said that he wants the town to become one of Scotland’s top three visitor destinations.
Ken Dalton, the chairman of BID St Andrews, has said that his group will work with all parties to enhance the town centre area.
Local retailers voted to establish the Business Improvement District (BID) at a ballot last week.
Though common throughout Scotland, many have been created to revitalise the fortunes of town centres in the aftermath of the recession, not areas considered to be in rude commercial health such as St Andrews.
Asked why the town needed a BID group, despite an established worldwide reputation as a visitor destination, Mr Dalton said: “It’s like saying the status quo is good enough and we shouldn’t think further, but life isn’t like that.
“We’ve got a very thriving business community here and there are very few units that are vacant.
“But the fact of the matter is we believe we continually need to re-energise St Andrews (and) make it one of the finest places to visit in Scotland.”
Asked what he wanted his team to achieve, Mr Dalton added: “If somebody was visiting Scotland I would want St Andrews to be in the top three of places they visit.”
A host of events has already been planned by the new group, aimed at marketing St Andrews to visitors as well as entertaining townsfolk.
A fashion week, annual photographic exhibition and improved Christmas celebrations are just some of the plans outlined for next year to bring people into the town centre.
Long-standing logistical problems, including parking provision, are also to be tackled, with a proposal to keep parking free of charge up to 10am and after 4pm. A research project into the viability of a Park and Ride scheme is also on the agenda.