BID4Oban Newsletter
BID4Oban Ltd
December 2014
Issue 22
News from the BID office ….
BID4Oban would like to take this opportunity to wish all our levy payers a
Merry Christmas and a Happy
and Prosperous New Year!
Please note:
The BID office will be closed from 1pm on Monday the 22nd December
2014 and will reopen on Monday 5th January 2015
Grants available for 2015
BID Business Frontage Grant Scheme and BID Business Expansion or Relocation Frontage
Grant are both available for 2015. Round 5 of our popular Business Frontage Grant Scheme
closes on the 28th February 2015 - so if you want the grant approved for work early in the New Year
give us a call or send an email. The application process is straightforward and quick and we aim to
make the decision within the shortest time frame possible.
Extension of Christmas Lighting
BID’s are delighted to have extended the town’s Christmas decorative lights by illuminating 32 lamp
posts throughout the town with solar powered Christmas tree decorations.
Each Christmas tree was given a name by pupils from Rockfield, St Columba's and Park Schools.
This ongoing project builds on the festive lighting put in by BIDs last year at Rockfield and over
the Black Lynn Burn.
In addition to this we have paid for a decorated Christmas tree to be erected at the top of the town at
the Dunollie Road / Breadalbane Street junction. BID's have also purchased and installed decorative
lighting along the sea frontage lampposts.
Nic Jones - Project Manager Email: [email protected]
Neil Mackay - Events & Marketing Manager Email: [email protected]
Yvonne MacLean - Administrator Email: [email protected]
Kay Macdonald - Digital Ambassador Email: [email protected]
Office number: 01631 569 915
Digital Ambassador News
I’ve had a good start to my role as a digital ambassador with 4 new shops opening recently. It’s great
to see windows lit up on these dreich nights. Our LoveOban vouchers are also doing well with new
businesses bring the number of participants to over 80. Remember though that the mi love Oban app
and website are not just to advertise shops. Businesses can use it to advertise vacancies, welcome
new staff, tell people about services available or events or even just to share nice photos of the area
and updates on their business. Please call if you think I can help in any way, I’d be happy to call
round and show you how mi love Oban could work for your business.
Love Oban Vouchers
The Love Oban Vouchers are now available to purchase from The Sports
Shop (Argyll Square) and Webster of Oban Photographic Centre (George Street).
We now have over 80 businesses in Oban who accept the Love Oban Vouchers. It is a great way to
support local businesses and give local people a choice. Contact our office if you want to know more
or join up.
Please note that some vouchers may be soon approaching their use by date - so please check before spending
or accepting any vouchers.
EVENTS
Wow – what a November!
It kicked off with a Fab Fireworks night everyone agreeing that having it in the town is good. This was
followed by very busy time for the 350 Rural Parliament delegates enjoying what was on offer
and Oban being featured on National TV. BIDs were pleased to be helping with the event.
We then had one of the best attended Reindeer Parades in recent years which heralded the start of
the annual Winter Festival and once again this has proven to be a tremendous boost to the town.
A big well done to so many volunteers both individually and from all the organisations -Oban is very
lucky to have such a wonderful resource to tap into.
As a community I believe that we owe a big thanks to Louis Barrow and Fergie McIver for such a
fantastic array of lighting sequences on McCaigs Tower of late. Your hard work and
spectacular features are on photos going all over the world the level of commitment is way above the
call of duty – from everyone –thanks boys.
Christmas is almost upon us and everyone involved with Bid4 Oban would like to wish you all the best
for the festive and have a happy New Year.
We hope it will be a healthy and prosperous one for everyone.
Our January newsletter will feature the timeline for Oban 2015 Year of Culture Food & Drink.
Some might say that our aspirations are high – Yes of course that’s why we ‘Love Oban’
Slainte
Nic Jones - Project Manager Email: [email protected]
Neil Mackay - Events & Marketing Manager Email: [email protected]
Yvonne MacLean - Administrator Email: [email protected]
Kay Macdonald - Digital Ambassador Email: [email protected]
Office number: 01631 569 915