Phil Prentice has spent the last couple of weeks refreshing his fond memories of Bute and exploring how best to get the BUTE BID delivering for its levy payers again. It hasn't been plain sailing, communications have been poor and sporadic, it's been a bit stop start and there are justifiably disgruntled members, however the voluntary board and small teams have done their utmost to keep things moving and the common thread coming through his discussions with business owners is a sense of pride in the Island and their culture and heritage.

They just want more transparency and to be listened to and to be more involved. And remember, sometimes in all the initial enthusiasm BIDs can overpromise and underdeliver, it's still a first term BID and often it takes time for a BID to find its place and become confident - to put things in context, the BID generates about £120,000 per annum which equates to an average levy of £6.50 per week. £50m has been spent on the Rothesay Pavilion and it will be some time before the Island will see pay back on that investment.

There have been some successes, the outdoor piazza in the square, initially a COVID intervention, is still growing strong and an ambitious media campaign with regional scale marketing of the island to day trippers is working well, with Calmac quoting an increase of 16% in passenger numbers from last year. Welcoming cruise ships, creating pub trails, islands maps and marketing literature, tending the promenade gardens and creating volunteer roles has also been helpful.

Bute has potential, but it still feels a little jaded, these things take time.

Moving forward BUTE BID wants to listen to its members and be guided by their local knowledge. We have recently launched a Business Improvement Grant, a Small Events Grant (to bring in more activity over the quieter months), appointed a voluntary street Ambassador who can help tidy the town up during busy spells, and we are working with Port Bannatyne to see if we can help them develop the emerging camper and kayaking market. £45,000 of external funding from the Crown Estate has also been secured by the BID which will cover the costs of the new kids play space on the promenade as well as the playground games project and the IOB BID has already submitted the planning application.

Sophie Reid, IOB BID Director said, "Phil has a lot of experience with BIDs and he is currently pulling a small part time team together to help us get things up and running again. We will shortly be moving into new accessible premises and will be arranging a meeting of levy payers in October to discuss what ideas and change they would like to see. We would also welcome any interest from business owners who feel they could join the board and bring new skills and knowledge to the team. At the end of the day the Island needs a BID, nobody else is coming here to help improve things, we need to work together to do it ourselves."