The Falkirk BID Logo

About Us

The BID Management Team

The Falkirk BID team consists of Alastair Mitchell, the Falkirk Town Centre Manager, and BID Co-ordinator Linda Worsfold. Alastair has a background in marketing and a pedigree of over 14 years town centre management. The Old Burgh BuildingsLinda also has a background in marketing, retail, tourism and leisure. Both Alastair and Linda are based in the Town Centre Management Offices in the Old Burgh Buildings in Newmarket Street.

BID Steering Group

Leading the BID process, is the Falkirk BID Steering Group, which comprises of a cross section of business representatives, located within the BID area of the town centre. Representatives from large national businesses, small independents, franchisees, hospitality, and the financial sector are included. The Steering Group also has the benefit of a representative from Falkirk Council and Central Scotland Police. The role of the Steering Group is to provide support and guidance to the BID Management Team, agree final decisions and monitor overall progress.

BID Steering Group

Steering Group Members

Back row from left to right – Steven Kerr – Boots,  Andrew McKinnon – Callendar Square Shopping Centre,  Tom Miller – Renellas, Steve Mackie – The Gilded Cage,  George Linton Smith -GW Smith Cycles and Chairman of the BID Steering Group,  Brian Flynn – Behind the Wall,  John Currie – The Wishing Well, David Moffat – Falkirk Council.
Front row from left to right -  Ian Davison Porter – BIDs Project Director Scotland,  Alastair Mitchell – Falkirk  and District Town Centre Manager, Chief Inspector Robbie McGregor – Central Scotland Police, Linda Worsfold – Falkirk BID Co-ordinator, Elliot Jardine – McDonalds Restaurants,  Bill Wilson - The Mall Howgate.

Other Steering Group Members not present -  George Stevenson – R Mathieson & Sons Ltd, Richard Johnston – Thomas Johnston Butchers, Brian Peat – First Group, Alan Smillie – Desire by Debenhams, George Nichol – Royal Bank of Scotland, David Johnston – WH Smith.

 

About Falkirk

A background to Falkirk’s position in the hierarchy of Scottish town centres

Falkirk facts

  • Caci league table - 10th position in terms of retail spend in Scotland
  • Retail Eye – 3rd in UK, for towns and cities delivering good customer service.
  • Strong partnership with local authority, police, community groups and town centre businesses.
  • Falkirk & District Town Centre Management Ltd, has worked successfully for more than 15 years in partnership with town centre businesses, Falkirk Council, Central Scotland Police, Visit Scotland and a variety of local community groups. It is therefore no coincidence that Falkirk currently features highly in various Scottish and UK retail league tables,

Key Performance Indicators

  • Fairly strong footfall – ahead of the UK trend
  • Increased spend reported from numerous businesses within the BID area · Healthy zone A rentals
  • Relatively low level of vacant business premises
  • New businesses investment in Falkirk town centre (Desire by Debenhams etc), also ongoing business refurbishments and shopfit upgrades
  • Crime statistics are relatively low

Falkirk is naturally proud of its current status.  However, there is still a lot of work to be done if Falkirk is to improve or even maintain its present competitive position.

The next logical step for Town Centre Management is to evolve into a BID.  The additional revenue from the levy and from other match funding sources, would enable Falkirk town centre to build on its existing success. Falkirk needs to raise its standards to attract increased footfall, turnover and profitability of businesses located within town centre.