Original Edinburgh

07/02/2020

Thank you for your time and support over the past two years. After narrowly missing the ballot criteria to establish a BID to represent the Old Town businesses in December 2019, our project will formally cease operation on 28th February 2020. Full statement below.

18/10/2019

Ballots are being posted to all eligible voters today! Please look out for your ballot papers and Vote Yes to Original Edinburgh to make a transformative impact to the community, and jointly invest in a bright future for the Old Town. Voting closes at 5pm on 28th November!

09/05/2019

Exciting news! We’ve launched Original Edinburgh, our new initiative to secure Business Improvement District status for the Old Town. Check out our promo film and find out more about us at www.originaledinburgh.co.uk

04/09/2018

As you may be aware, Edinburgh World Heritage has just opened a new exhibition at the Tron, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, which showcases the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh as well as Scotland’s five other World Heritage Sites. The exhibition, housed within the atmospheric 17th century former kirk,...

04/09/2018

From the historical gardens of the Old Town to the contemporary allotment movement, via Patrick Geddes’ open spaces survey, this unique all day event, which includes an afternoon guided walk, explores the green heritage of the Old Town. In the 1590s Bailie McMorran’s House (present day Riddle’...

03/09/2018

29/08/2018

Celebrate 10 years of a Fruitful Scotland Come and enjoy the Scottish National collection of apples, and other garden produce from across Scotland. Our apple day, now in its 10th year, brings together fruitful schools, community groups, and enthusiasts working to create a Fruitful Scotland grown app...

27/08/2018

We're raising money for the GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT because we believe in community and we believe everyone should feel valued, that they belong and should have the opportunity to contribute. This charity supports many of Edinburgh and Lothians most vulnerable. People with disabilities, people...

22/08/2018

Good news for visitors and a welcome addition to the Royal Mile.

Part of Edinburgh’s historic City Chambers is to become Scotland’s flagship tourism information centre to capitalise on the number of visitors flooding into the Royal Mile.

13/08/2018

Begbie was a very early photographer showing an extraordinary record of Victorian Edinburgh. It is really interesting to compare his images with today's Edinburgh. We have some of these photographs in our current Exhibition 'In Focus: Scottish Photography' which runs until May 2019.

View of the Old Town from East Princes Street Gardens
Thomas Vernon Begbie
www.capitalcollections.org.uk

06/08/2018

They are encouraged to share photos of good deeds such as picking up litter or buying a sandwich for a stranger.

31/07/2018

Consultation is open on outdoor advertising until 14th September and will help inform new planning guidance.

Find and participate in consultations run by City of Edinburgh Council

30/07/2018

17/07/2018

Find out the benefits of a circular economy,
https://www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/circular-edinburgh/

Funding is available from £50,000 to £1m to support SMEs pioneering alternatives to the ‘make, take, dispose’ approach, and keeping products and materials in a high-value state of use for as long as possible. It comprises support from the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund. For more information, please visit http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/circular-economy/investment-fund.

Fantastic circular economy event yesterday with inspiring speakers from The University of Edinburgh, Zero Waste Scotland, & Revive Eco - helping businesses turn their waste into wealth!

17/07/2018

The Crannie @ 9 Cranston street - a friendly community space at the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town.

16/07/2018

Begbie's Grassmarket looking very different in Victorian Edinburgh than it does tonight - a hub of activity and merriment on this balmy Friday night. We have some of these photographs in our current Exhibition 'In Focus: Scottish Photography' which runs until May.
The Grassmarket
Thomas Vernon Begbie
City Art Centre, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
www.capitalcollections.org.uk

16/07/2018

11/07/2018

Edinburgh’s award-winning storytellers Mercat Tours were awarded an exceptional 91% Quality Assurance 5* Tour award from VisitScotland for the 11th year running. The family business revealed the ne…

10/07/2018

04/04/2018

Click the link to find out more about how BIDs can help businesses save money,reduce waste and make our streets better. http://www.resourceefficientscotland.com/guide/improving-waste-management-how-to-business-groups

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23/03/2018

"At a meeting of The Old Town BID Consultation Steering Group that took place earlier this week a decision was made to delay the existing proposed ballot date of 21st June. The group felt that although a great deal has already been achieved, and that there is a clear consensus that the Old Town would benefit from a business led initiative, we feel it would be prudent to allow more time to conduct additional consultation with all sectors that would contribute to a successful future BID. It was also agreed that the ballot should take place no later than Spring 2019 and I look forward to updating you soon with a new project timeline."

James McGregor

Chair

Old Town BID Consultation

26/02/2018

The City of Edinburgh Council are considering a city-wide ban on all temporary on-street advertising structures ie A Boards. Please take the time and feedback your views at the link below

Find and participate in consultations run by City of Edinburgh Council

14/02/2018

For more information on how to get your business China Ready visit https://www.etag.org.uk/china/ to download the helpful China-Ready Business Opportunities Guide

https://www.scotsman.com/travel-2-15031/edinburgh-landmarks-to-be-lit-up-red-to-attract-chinese-tourists-1-4687096

A string of Edinburgh’s most prominent buildings and landmarks will be lit up red this week as part of the biggest ever drive to attract more Chinese visitors to the city – now that they are on the verge of outnumbering American tourists in the capital.

01/02/2018

Interesting to see this story today about over-tourism in Edinburgh. The Old Town BID Steering group want to work closely with major attractions to help disperse visitors across the quieter corners of the Old Town e.g. Lower Canogate, Cowgate and hinterland streets and closes off the Royal Mile and Grassmarket. Our idea is to improve the look and feel of these over-spill areas. We're also interested in looking into ways activity in the quiet winter season can be focused on some of the less visited streets in the Old Town.

Find our more about the Old Town BID here: https://www.theoldtownbid.com/

TOURISM leaders will be warned to move on so-called over-tourism as the Scottish capital prepares to tackle the tourist tax question.

24/01/2018

Interesting article in the press today by Brian Ferguson about how 'Edinburgh is struggling to cope with the mass influx of visitors to the city during its major festivals, according to a damning new dossier.' The Old Town BID has been aware of this issue after consulting local businesses on what they would like a BID for the area to consist of. Among the many things a BID could do for the Old Town would be to help work on a solution to alleviating 'pinchpoints' in the Old Town caused by too many pedestrians gathered in one area. On this issue, as on all that affect the Old Town, the BID would be an advocate and voice heard by the Council and other institutions that can bring about real change.

Edinburgh is struggling to cope with the mass influx of visitors to the city during its major festivals, according to a damning new dossier.

24/01/2018

The Scottish Government has supported Business Improvement Districts since the Labour government introduced them in 2008. It provides seed corn funding to enable BIDs to be developed. Local authorities can also support the development of a new BID. No funds are recovered from the investment businesses make once the BID is in place. This will be clear in the Business Plan which all businesses in scope can vote on.

NB Businesses with a rateable value 10k and under are exempt from the proposed levy but can make a voluntary contribution of £150 pa to join the BID once established.

Visit the Old Town BID website for the facts www.theoldtownbid.com

An opportunity has arisen to create an exciting new Business Improvement District (BID). A steering group made up of a number of businesses based in the Old Town is conducting consultations in the area to explore the level of interest in creating an Old Town BID. Such a BID would have the scale, rea...

10/01/2018

Many thanks to the Old Town Community Council for their time. We met last night and felt it was a useful and productive meeting. We're looking forward to further contact with the Old Town Community Council going forward.

We focus on what matters to residents, so as to improve the quality of life in Edinburgh's Old Town

15/12/2017

Very pleased by the coverage of BIDs in yesterday's Scotsman's pull-out supplement Vision Scotland. As one of the articles makes the argument, BIDs are a good way to inject energy and direction into areas that need it. They bring businesses together to share ideas and resources.

15/12/2017

Check our our new flyer. As it says, proposals are in place to create an Old Town BID, representing most of the Old Town area. Next spring, you'll be asked to vote on whether you want the BID to go ahead.

Find out the facts at our website: https://www.theoldtownbid.com/

If you have questions, email us: [email protected]

Take part in our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/697PDXF

13/12/2017

Dear friends, it's December.

Once again the cafe, bars, restaurants and shops around Princes Street, Rose St. and George Street are overflowing with customers.

Once again the progressive partnership between Council, Events Company and BID is having significant economic impact.

Once again a large established, city centre BID is helping 'Edinburgh's Christmas' fit neatly into the New Town.

It will be the same next year....despite fragmented individual protestations and singular pleas and complaints.

If you would like to see the Old Town enjoy the same attention and opportunities that Princes Street, Rose St. and George Street enjoy, lend your support to the Old Town BID.

A BID would have the scale, reach and influence to help shape the policies and decisions which so impact on the economic performance of the area. It would have the funding and organisational support to initiate and deliver projects that would ensure that this unique place was sufficiently well marketed and maintained to compete with global visitor destinations into the 2020s.

Voting for a BID next spring will be the best opportunity to take control of your business environment and promote its unique appeal.

If you want to know more about the BID, visit https://www.theoldtownbid.com/.

If you already believe the Old Town BID can only benefit the area, please email, text, tweet, post and voice your support.