BID
Introduction
Dunfermline – at the centre of Scotland’s Story
A city steeped in history, heritage and culture; Dunfermline is the ancient capital of Scotland and the birthplace of
Kings and Queens. Home of a number of important historical landmarks - Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, Abbot
House Heritage Centre and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum - the city also benefits from extensive green
spaces including Pittencrieff Park, one of Scotland’s most important urban parks. Also know as ‘the Glen’, the park
was gifted to the people of Dunfermline in 1903 by the city’s most famous son, Andrew Carnegie, the Scottishborn American industrialist and philanthropist.
Today a thriving and vibrant city, Dunfermline is the second biggest settlement in Fife. A well-connected location,
the City is a within easy reach of Edinburgh, Perth and Stirling.
Planting the seeds of success
A BID city, Dunfermline’s floral enhancements have traditionally been the responsibility of Fife Council. In recent
years, Dunfermline Delivers, the Business Improvement District [BID] company, has taken ownership of the
Dunfermline in Bloom initiative and has sought to improve the quality and quantity of floral displays throughout
the city.
We have pleasure in submitting this application to Beautiful Scotland’s Awards in the ‘BID’ category.
A partnership approach
The strategy has been to engage with the many stakeholders to create a ‘community’ approach to the city’s
floral enhancements and deliver a sustainable approach.
Heading up the project, The Dunfermline in Bloom
Steering Group includes: Maggie Mitchell (Dunfermline Delivers)
Eoin Thomson (Dunfermline Delivers)
Ross Hepburn (Lady Helen Nurseries)
Cllr Helen Law (Fife Council)
Mark Horsburgh (Fife Council)
Brian Bruce (Fife Council)
Linsay Duffy (Fife Council)
Dunfermline Abbey
Horticultural achievement
City Centre - a beatiful place to shop and socialise
A variety of floral enhancements have been placed in the city centre throughout the summer months. This delivers a ‘burst’ of colour throughout the year.
Planters and baskets are maintained until mid October. Last year they were replanted on 4th
November with winter bedding.
To fund this extensive display, Dunfermline Delivers has allocated BID budgets as well as securing
sponsorship from Fife Council and local businesses to secure additional floral enhancements, including 18 barrel planters, as well as hanging baskets, in 2013
The strategy has also been to engage with a number of community groups to support the
initiative resulting in a sustainable project with the added benefit of instilling civic pride.
Precinct Planters being filled (June 2013)
Beehive Planters at Glen Gates(June 2013)
Hanging Baskets (June 2012)
Beehive Planter (June 2012)
Precinct Planter (June 2013)
Barrel Planter (November 2012)
Pittencrieff Park – a beautiful place to enjoy leisure time
Pittencrieff Park, known locally as the ‘The Glen’ extends to 76 acres of grass areas, ponds, rockeries, nature walks
and dog exercise areas. Dunfermline Delivers holds a number of events in Pittencrieff Park throughout the year,
including the highly successful Bruce Festival and the spectacular fireworks display.
Dunfermline Delivers plans to develop festival opportunities in Pittencrieff Park to include an ‘Enchanted Glen’
Festival to include winter illuminations and audio trail within the Park to create an ‘Enchanted Glen’.
Pittencrieff Park Maintenance
Maintenance work to Pittencrieff Park is undertaken by Fife Council and includes
Grass cutting of standard and High Amenity
Shrub, Rose and Herbaceous maintenance ( hoe / fork, weeding, pruning, staking)
Pond maintenance
Glasshouse maintenance
Tree / shrub planting etc
Dunfermline Public Park
Maintenance work is also undertaken by Fife Council
to Dunfermline Public Park. The Council were also
responsible for the planting of 24,000 daffodil bulbs
Business Sponsorship – a beautiful initiative to support
An attractive commercial centre or high street is vital to attracting prosperity – which is one of the reasons why
numerous local business have supported the initiative with sponsorship of precinct planters, floral barrels and
hanging baskets.
Environmental responsibility
Dunfermline Delivers work closely with Fife Council on a number of regeneration projects and is an active member
of the City Centre Regeneration Steering Group.
A strategic approach to engage and inspire the public and private sectors has achieved significant environmental
benefits. Examples of projects include:
City Centre Regeneration
Fife Council has recently allocated £1 million for the purposes of regenerating Dunfermline City Centre.
Dunfermline Delivers has been actively involved in the regeneration of Dunfermline City Centre through its
membership in the City Centre Steering Group and is managing the introduction of wifi and digital signage to the
City Centre, as well as the illumination of key buildings.
Other recent projects undertaken include:
Upgrade of street furniture
Bins replaced
Efforts to remove chewing gum from the streets
Approval for a project to improve directional signage to and within the city centre to highlight visitor
attractions and improve ‘getting around’
Perception and Image Projects delivered by Dunfermline Delivers
Dunfermline Going Green
Dunfermline Delivers has launched Dunfermline Going Green, which aims to create develop and implement a cost
effective recycling initiative and to generally raise awareness, educate and inform the wider community about
recycling and sustainability. At time of writing 61 businesses are currently signed up to recycle their waste their
waste as part of the project, while free internal bins and liners are being offered to all BID members.
Purple Flag
Purple Flag is an accreditation scheme that recognises excellence in the management of towns and city centres at
night. Dunfermline Delivers has applied for Purple Flag accreditation as part of its involvement in the Safer Towns
initiative in Dunfermline. Relevant actions include efforts to reduce litter and chewing gum from the street, as well
as the introduction of digital signage and the illumination of public buildings.
Shop front project
In a drive to ‘dress’ the city centre to detract from vacant premises, a project is underway to install 3D graphics to
communicate key business opportunities to attract inward investment and to create a more pleasant shopping
experience. Three premises have already been completed as part of this ongoing project, with graphics about to
be installed on two further premises.
Projects undertaken in partnership
Redevelopment of Pittencrieff Park
Peacocks were first introduced to Dunfermline in 1905
by the businessman Henry Beveridge and have the freedom
of the city.
Fife Council is currently developing a peacock sanctuary for
twelve peafowl as part of its £1.5 million budget for the
transformation of Pittencrieff Park. The money has been raised
from £708,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £300,000 from
the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust with the remainder funded by
Fife Council. An Urban Park Ranger is also employed as part of
the regeneration project.
Public Park Regeneration
A Public Park Improvement Group has been established and includes representatives from Central Dunfermline
Community Council, Carnegie Trust and Fife Council. This has resulted in a number of outcomes
Greenspace Scotland have been employed to create a climate adaptation management plan, which
included a consultation with 500 people and a Public Park Evaluation Event on 5th June 2013. The plan should form the basis of an improvement plan for the park. Dunfermline Delivers have been active in
discussions over the development of the proposed improvement plan
Fife Coast & Countryside Trust have secured £25,000 to do woodlands improvements to the wood in
the park
Band Stand at Fresh Air Festival
Public Park Evaluation Event
Photo courtesy of Greenspace Scotland
Public Park Evaluation Event
Photo courtesy of Greenspace Scotland
Community participation
Sustainable community development is at the heart of Dunfermline’s regeneration and community
participation is key to its future success. Examples include: Public Art Project (December 2012)
Glasgow-based artist Toby Paterson and Collective Architecture were appointed to deliver “ Marking the Way”, a public art project in Dunfermline
The first phase of the project involved an exhibition in the Public Park which was installed in
December 2012 and removed in January 2013
The installation of five permanent pieces of public art are due to be installed pending the granting of
planning permission
Future plans
Lauriston Nursery is in talks to undertake a community-planting project at the gap site on the High
Street.
There are also plans to introduce winter holly balls throughout the city centre to enhance
winter plantings.
A ‘Garden for Heroes’ is currently being developed on Monastery Street and is due to be completed for
Remembrance Day.
Dunfermline Delivers are currently developing a visitor trail that takes in green spaces and historical
attractions throughout the city centre.
A platform for events
Pittencrieff Park and Dunfermline Public Park play host to many events throughout the year including:
Dunfermline’s Fireworks - attracting up to 20,000 spectators
The Bruce Festival - attracting over 15,000 visitors
The Gala Day
Easter Fun Day
The Bruce Festival
The Bruce Festival
Dunfermline Children’s Gala
Conclusion
Dunfermline is graced with stunning historic buildings and green places. The challenge for Dunfermline in Bloom
is to enhance this space to create an appealing place to visit, live and work.
Through a committed partnership approach, involving numerous stakeholders, the steering group has created a
ground swell of support which is delivering measurable benefits as well as instilling a significant degree of civic
pride.
By showcasing what has been achieved, and highlighting our ambitions for the future, we are confident that the
judging panel will understand our achievements to date in horticultural achievement and environmental
advancement.
Like all good gardens, this is a work in progress, however it is important to sit back, pause and enjoy the fruits of
our labour – we hope you will take the time to do so with a trip to Dunfermline.
PR Activity