Discover Lanark receives decisive mandate for next five years

Businesses and organisations have voted yes to support a second term for Discover Lanark Business Improvement District (BID), securing over £900,000 of investment for the town.

Over 75% of businesses who voted were in favour of the BID continuing until 2029, a yes vote of 82% by rateable value. Some 48.5% of businesses eligible to vote took part.

The successful vote means that a second BID term will run from September 2024 to August 2029 focusing on the delivery of a broad programme of town improvements, events and projects plus marketing and training support for businesses.

Discover Lanark’s priorities for the next five years will be: Increasing footfall and spend, Marketing of the town to locals and visitors, Supporting our businesses, and Delivering a welcoming, attractive and safer town.

Graeme McLeish, Chair of Discover Lanark said, “The Board were delighted with the result and would like to thank the town’s businesses for their overwhelming support.”

“The ballot result demonstrates the confidence and trust which has been placed in Discover Lanark and its ability to deliver tangible benefits to the local businesses and community.”

Discover Lanark is a not-for-profit company funded by the town’s businesses and organisations via the BID levy and managed by a Board drawn from the business community, public and third sectors.

In addition to the BID levy, Discover Lanark will continue to seek external funding to invest back into Lanark projects. It has already successfully secured over £325,000 in its first term.

The Discover Lanark Business Plan 2024-2029, which provides more detail about the BID, its future plans and funding, can be downloaded at lanark.co.uk/pages/about-us