Bill’s first to vote on plan to revitalise town centre.

PAISLEY businessman Bill Kelly reckons he is the first person to cast a vote to set up a Business Improvement District in the town.

The owner of Print and Copy It, in High Street had filled in his ballot form and posted it before his shop was even open, on Friday.

And he is urging other traders and businesses in the town centre to also put an ‘X’ beside the box on voting forms agreeing to set up a Paisley BID.

Last week, postal ballot papers were sent to town centre businesses, asking if they want to set up a BID company in the town.

If enough businesses vote to set up the BID, a board of directors from the local businesses community will be elected to run the organisation.

With fees paid by local businesses – ranging from as little as 55p a day – to fund initiatives, the BID company will start working to encourage more people to come to the town centre by organising events and other marketing and promotional campaigns.
The BID would also act as a voice for local businesses and as a buying group to get cheaper utility bills.

Bill said: “I’ve looked into the setting up of a Paisley BID in some detail and I’ve come to the definite conclusion that this is a real opportunity for local traders to not only make a difference to their own businesses, but the town centre as a whole.
“In today’s marketplace, doing nothing is not really an option and I strongly believe a Paisley BID would attract more people to the town centre and deliver many new opportunities for businesses to flourish.”

Bill added: “I am so keen to see this happen that I had completed my ballot paper voting yes to a BID and had it in the postbox before my shop even opened.”

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X