BID MemberNEWSLETTERSPRING 2016 | ISSUE NO. 11

Young & EnterprisingA partnership project with YES Works Ltd. has Clarkston blooming again with the installation of new planters.

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Creature ComfortsThe 8th Annual Pet Show, held by Creature Comforts in Greenbank Church takes place on 30 April.

P.07Fresh IdeasWe welcome a new chair, vice-chair and committee members to the I Love Clarkston team.

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Previous chair, Gordon Paterson, stepped down from his position in December. The BID committee and management team wish to extend a great wealth of gratitude to him for his tireless efforts over the years - even though he originally intended in only staying as chair for six months!

This meant that the Clarkston BID was without a chair and vice-chair until very recently. The opportunity was taken at the start of the year to invite all BID members to committee meetings, giving us an opportunity to establish a firm group of members.

The current committee is now made up of the following members:

1. John Paul Reilly, CRW Interiors, BID Chair2. Jim Watt, Cafe Roma, BID Vice-Chair3. Nicola Strawbridge, The Overlee4. Graeme Wilson, Creature Comforts5. Jennifer Finlayson, Watt Brothers6. Jane Perry, Bluebird Care7. Debbie & Norrie Stewart, Abientot8. Alison McHarg & Debbie Scott, Swanson Sports9. John Dick, Non-Voting member10. Andy Dunlop, BID Manager

Committee meetings are typically held every six weeks, on Tuesday evenings at the Overlee.

Your New CommitteeA number of new members have joined the I Love Clarkston management committee in what is becoming a fresh new start and outlook for the BID. It is an exciting time with many new faces and ideas giving a new sense of enthusiasm.

What does the committee do?Who can join the committee?Who can come to a meeting?

The committee is responsible for the day to day running of the BID, as laid out by the busisness plan, making decisions from which acts we include on stage at the Christmas event to how much money should be spent on visual improvements. The committee also have the authority to adapt any projects to maximise opportunity. A copy of the business plan is available to any BID member business.

Attendance at the committee meetings are open to any BID business, although we do ask that you alert us if you wish to attend.Meetings are often attended by most committee members, the BID manager and a representative from the ERCC. Details of upcoming meetings, including what is to be discussed can be found by emailing the BID manager, Andy, at andy@erbids.com.

We are always looking for new faces to join the committee, so if you are interested in getting involved, email andy@erbids.com for more information. Any BID business has the opportunity to nominate someone to be elected onto the committee. The maximum number of voting members allowed on the committee at any one time is 12.

How can you get involved in the BID?What does being a committee member involve?

Your I Love Clarkston Committee Members

BID Neswletter

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1 Video AdvertisingThe BID is launching a new initiative, giving every business the opportunity to have their very own, short video advert created. A professional videographer has been hired to create these and will visit interested businesses on any given date to ensure the right content is filmed for your business. Each business will receive a bespoke service, resulting in a 15-30 second video which you can use how you see fit. This service is being offered to all BID members completely free of charge.

What can the BID do for YOU?The BID are currently championing 4 main campaigns, all with the sole focus of

assisting you and your business. If you are interested in taking part in any of the schemes below, please contact andy@erbids.com for further information.

2 Social Media WorkshopRegardless of your type of business, one with no online presence is going to be left behind. In an effort to ensure each I Love Clarkston business is leading the pack when it comes to online communications we will be hosting three social media workshops (18 May, 26 May, 2 June), curated by an online marketing expert giving you all the best advice for getting the most out of your social media and how to develop a marketing strategy on them. This opportunity is open to all BID members, free of charge.

3 Shop Front Improvement FundIn a change to the previous fund that was open to businesses, any BID member looking to make improvements to their shop front can now receive up to £500, with no obligation to match fund. Whether you are looking to install a completely new sign, add some outdoor lighting or just give your entrance a lick of paint, this fund is open to you. This fund is open to all BID members, but is limited and works must be completed by 31 September 2016.

4 Event Marketing GrantThis long standing grant is open to BID members who are looking to host an event in the Clarkston BID boundary. Any successful application will receive up to £200 towards any event or marketing costs. Previous uses of this grant include having special menus printed for launch events or having flyers printed and distributed to every primary school child in an East Renfrewshire Council school. If you wish to have assistance on ideas on how best to use this fund, please get in touch.

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Spring 2016

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East RenfrewshireCapital Funds

In a change from what was published in the Winter 2015 issue of this newsletter, the BID will no longer be going ahead with the purchase nor installation of three outdoor interactive screens.

Initially proposed as an innovative way to spend the 2015 capital grant received from East Renfrewshire Council, before its deadline of March 31st 2016, doubts were cast at December’s committee meeting, with concerns raisled mainly around the necessary and ongoing maintenance costs, potential vandalism, and uncertainty if the local community would actually interact with the screens and their content.

In their place, a sum of the available money has been spent on various alternative visual enhancements that will make a positive difference to the town centre.

You can read about our work with YES Works on the opposite page, who are undertaking the repair, painting and installation of planters.

In addition to the 12 planters, which have been reinstated along the central reservation of Busby Road, the BID have given businesses the chance to ‘Adopt-a-Planter’, completely free of charge.

Any business who took this opportunity will have a their business logo prominently displayed on one side of a planter. To date, 24 Clarkston businesses have taken up on the offer. There are still some spaces available on this program, if you are interested in including your business, please contact Andy Dunlop on andy@erbids.com.

The final portion of the ERC Capital Fund will go towards repairing and improving the festive decorations that light up Clarkston each winter.

Our lighting specialists, Blachere, are currently investigating options of how best to utilise these funds, ensuring that Clarkston shines over the Christmas period.

Options that are being investigated include light projections on the gable ends of buildings and a large Christmas tree in the Clarkston Toll roundabout.

How to save BIG on your utility bills

The BID have been working closely with Newton Mearns based utilities-broker, Revo-Utilities, in an attempt to save Clarkston businesses as much money as possible.

Revo have been providing services in the area for over 10 years, ensuring customers are receiving the best, most cost-effective deal possible on all utilities.

On client, a small restaurant in East Renfrewshire have saved almost £6,000 per annum when Revo found them new deals on the gas, electricity and water.

If you would like Revo to look at what they can do for you, with no obligation, please contact amanda@revo-utilities.com or call them on 0141 637 9694.

CLARKSTON BID FINANCES

The ‘I Love Clarkston’ bank balance is currently looking quite healthy, enabling the committee to investigate opportunities and events that may normally not have been viable. A summer event to rival the size and scope of the Winter Extravaganza is being looked at, among others. If you wish to suggest any ideas for projects to the committee, please email info@erbids.com

RLevy Collections2015/16 levy collections were over 92%. Some of those not collected were from businesses no longer trading and have since been passed to debt collection or written off by ERC.

BSpendingAlmost 50% of BID spend in 2015/16 was on improvements, marketing and events. The bulk of this was taken up by the Winter Extravaganza. We will be looking to add more events to the calendar in 2016, with a view to bringing in more visitors.

PFundingAlongside the capital grant from East Renfrewshire Council, the BID has actively been seeking out funding streams for potential new projects. There is an aim to have an additional £10,000 in funding by the end of 2016.

BID Newsletter

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Young & Enterprising Partnership YES Works Ltd.

Road’s existing wooden planters, both those found on the central reservation and the larger pavement mounted ones.

The idea is to ensure that greenery is a constant feature on our high street. Therefore, instead of seasonal flowers forming the main display, shaped evergreen trees will be the focal point.

Not to worry though, Clarkston will still feel spring and summer’s bloom with the addition of many more flowers, including new troughs along the pedestrian barriers. Initial research showed these to be a popular method of brightening up the public realm, as other BIDs including Milngavie and those throughout England have purchased similar models. These will also be planted by YES Works Ltd, as we follow their expert advice.

The YES Works team is principally formed of young people from East Renfrewshire

who possess skills in a variety of trades, and is led by Colin Higgins. Colin has said “we are delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the I Love Clarkston Business Improvement District,” and that “our social enterprise provides a great service whilst at the same time giving young people opportunities to learn new skills, both of a practical and personal development nature, and for them to become involved within their local community”.

This project should be the start of a productive working relationship with Young Enterprise Scotland and YES Works Ltd, as we aim to improve Clarkston with the added bonus of increasing our outreach to young people in East Renfrewshire. A maintenance contract has already been established with the social enterprise to ensure this investment lasts the test of time, and other exciting projects are being lined up to collaborate on in the future.

“we are delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the I Love Clarkston Business Improvement

District,” - Colin Higgins, YES Works Ltd. Manager

HOW CANYES WORKS LTD.

HELP YOU?

As a part of their drive to seek better routes to sustainability, Young Enterprise Scotland are launching their new Social Enterprise, YES Works Ltd.

Based at Rouken Glen Centre, the vision is for YES Works is to be recognised as Scotland’s most innovative Social Enterprise, delivering high quality landscaping and construction services.

YES Works Ltd has an experienced team that are well positioned, fully insured and trained to deliver very affordable services such as ground maintenance, clearances, planting, seeding, garden management and pathway building.

For further information on what YES Works Ltd can do for you, and how to contact them, please visit www.yesworks.org.uk

Spring 2016

YES Works Ltd, a social enterprise recently formed by Young Enterprise Scotland and based at new facilities in Rouken Glen Park, have been selected to help us bring greenery back to our town centre.

This project, which utilises part of the capital grant funding obtained from East Renfrewshire Council, initially involves the repair, repainting and replanting of Busby

In a continued effort to enhance the overall appearance of Clarkston, the BID team have collaborated with a new, local, initiative from Young Enterprise Scotland.

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After a successful pilot programme in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Irvine, Zero Waste Scotland are looking to roll out their ‘Good To Go’ programme, which aims to prevent the equivalent of one in six meals ending up in the bin.

Public Funding FinderIn each newsletter we will now highlight publicily available funds that may be of

interest to you and your business. If you wish to receive the full list of national funding programmes that are currently open, please email info@erbids.com

Scotland’s Energy Effi ciency Programme (SEEP) | Pathfi nder FundThis Pathfi nder Fund is the fi rst step in preparing for the launch of SEEP in 2018. First announced in June, SEEP is being developed to deliver the new national infrastructure priority for energy effi ciency. It is intended that SEEP will offer support for the next 15-20 years to ensure that all buildings (domestic and non-domestic) in Scotland can achieve a good energy effi ciency rating.Further information: http://ow.ly/107OmB

Barclay’s Community Sports Award | £5,000The award aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals who use sport to benefi t communities across the UK. Each individual wins £1,000 for their group or organisation & is entered into the end of season award to win £5,000.Further information: http://ow.ly/107OgF

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - Food Strand | £5,000 - £500,000The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation supports work which demonstrates the important role food plays in wellbeing and which connects people to the food that they eat. It seeks to bring about more sustainable food production and consumption policies and practices. An eligibility quiz and link to application is available at: http://ow.ly/107Oea

VisitScotland Growth FundThe Growth Fund also helps businesses to build their digital capability, market and measure more effectively. Working in partnership, means that we no longer market Scotland for Scotland; we market Scotland with Scotland.Further information: http://ow.ly/107OoW

Low Carbon Skills Fund | £5,000Apply for up to £12,500 towards employee training costs. The funding for training provides:• Funding for up to 25 episodes of training• 50% of training costs, up to a maximum of £500 per episode http://www.ukgrants.org.uk/available-grants/

Training & Recruitment Grant | £5,000-£14,000Grants to support businesses in training and recruiting staff. http://www.ukgrants.org.uk/available-grants/

HSBC SME Business Loan FundEstablished to provide businesses with the fi nancial resources required to set up and achieve ambitions for growth and development. Part of HSBC’s bid to support up to a million small businesses that have accounts at the bank.Further information: http://ow.ly/107ONW

BID Newsletter

Initially spurred by Scotland’s shocking food waste statistics, with household food and drink waste totalling 630,000 tonnes annually, customers are encouraged to take their leftovers home and provided with a free, sturdy and branded takeaway box. Pilot statistics show commercial food waste was cut by almost 75%.

The fi rst 100 businesses to sign up can receive 300 ‘Good To Go’ free of charge. To sign up, or to fi nd out more, contact goodtogo@zerowastescotland.org.uk or phone 0141 314 1436

Cutting down on Food Waste

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Creature Comforts Pet ShowCreature Comforts is once again hosting their annual Pet Show at Greenbank Parish Church. This years event takes place on 30th April.

Now in its 8th year, the event is a thank you to all the loyal custom shown over the years, whilst also raising much needed funds for Canine Partners - a charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs.

With the opportunity to put your pet up for the ‘Best In Show’ competitions (small animals registration opens at 12midday, registration for dogs opens at 1:45pm) and a dog agility show this day isnt just for humans to come along and have fun.

Firm favourites ‘Hoots Owls’ will also be in attendance giving youngsters the opportunity to get up close and personal with various birds of prey you aren’t going to find in your back garden.

Sheddens Vets will also be available throughout the day with the opportunity to ask the experts any question about your pets and their health.

Entering your pet into the show costs only £1, with all proceeds going to Canine Partners. Entry to the event itself is free.

The event is proudly supported by 223rd Glasgow Boys Brigade, Glasgow Dog Training Club, Shedden Vets, Hoots Owls, Canine Partners and I Love Clarkston.

What’s happening

in Clarkston?In this new, recurring feature, will look to feature any upcoming events in the area, ensuring your business is aware of what is going on around you. If you have an event you want featured here in upcoming issues, please email all details to info@erbids.com.The deadline for inclusion in the summer issue is 31 May 2016.

ER Business Awards

Applications are now open for the 2016 East Renfrewshire Business Awards! In their 5th year, the awards celebrate the successes of East Renfrewshire businesses.Awards are free to enter and local businesses can apply for any of the eight categories available. The closing date for all entries is 5pm Wednesday 4th May 2016To request an application form email ‘awards@ entourageuk.com’

Clapham Solicitors and Corum Estate Agents are running a Health and Wellbeing Event in Clarkston Halls on Saturday 21 May from 1pm to 4pm.The focus of the event will be an informative and fun afternoon stressing all aspects of healthy living. An invite is extended to all BID member businesses to attend.For more information, please contact ‘lawagents @davidcclapham.co.uk’

Armed Forces Day is an annual, national celebration designed to give people the opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community, From serving troops to service families and from veterans to cadets. East Renfrewshire will celebrate Armed Forces Day on 18 June with an Family Fun Day in Rouken Glen Park from 12noon until 5pm.

Health & Wellbeing

Armed Forces Day

A SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZAAt the most recent BID committee meeting it was suggested that Clarkston could do with an event in the summer months to compliment the Winter Extravaganza. Many ideas were floated and discussed, but a ‘Food & Drink Festival’ was settled upon, with 20 & 21 August being the suggested dates. The initial plan for this event is to have as many Clarkston businesses involved as possible, hosting any manner of Food or Drink related activites in or around their premises. These events will be complimented by further entertainment and events throughout the town, including utilising the lanes behind many of our shops. The idea behind this is to ensure that visitors attending our events are made aware of what Clarkston has to offer, rather than hosting everyone in the Clarkston Halls car park and never having to visit your premises!Plans are at an early stage, but we are taking notes of interest now. If you wish to be involved, or want more details, please contact andy@erbids.com

Spring 2016

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A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR BID MANAGER

I attended my fi rst committee meeting with the intention of fi nding out more about the BID and how my business could benefi t from it. I did not intend to leave that meeting as chair, but I can honestly say I am excited and enthusiastic about the future.

Having spoken with Andy, the BID manager, it is apparent that we are going through a period of change - and that is no bad thing. The BID is now autonomous from East Renfrewshire Council freeing us to do more for our community and business area. The changes are already apparent and more of these will quickly follow.

Clarkston can be a thoroughly modern community where people live, work and spend locally - working together I truly believe we can achieve this. We have already shown how forward thinking we can be, grasping the opportunity to work with Young Enterprise Scotland. Many other BIDs have already expressed an interest in following our footsteps with this project. If we can continue to innovate and collaborate with not only business owners, but the greater community - where the heart of Clarkston beats, our town can once again thrive

I welcome any member along to my shop if they wish to share ideas, get a better understanding of what the BID can do for you or even just want to chat. My door is always open.

I look forward to building a better Clarkston with you all.

John Paul Reilly | Owner, CRW Interiors

I have now been in post for just under six months and I am slowly getting to grips with how Clarkston functions and what we can, and need to, do.Our work with Young Enterprise has been a particular success and has even been discussed in Scottish Parliament. Many other BIDs are looking to follow in our footsteps there - that is something Clarkston should be very proud of.We have many plans for further events - The Summer Extravaganza being one, and I hope that as many businesses as possible get behind these plans so that not only your business, but Clarkston as a whole can benefi t.East Renfrewshire Council have promised an in-depth consultation for Clarkston over the coming year, that is also something I urge you to get involved with to ensure the voices of the businesses and community are heard!

Andy Dunlop | BID Manager

BID Newsletter

Andy Dunlop - BID ManagerTel: 0777 355 7203 Email: andy@erbids.com

Web: www.iloveclarkson.com

c iloveclarksrton d @iloveclarkston f @iloveclarkston

C O N T A C T A N D I N F O