THE TEAM at Go Forth Stirling BID have won a top business award for their success in developing and improving the city’s trading environment.
The BID (Business Improvement District) has been named Best Urban Business Development NPO in the 2022 UK Enterprise Awards.
The awards, run by SME News and in their sixth year, recognise businesses of all sizes who are leading the way in innovation and customer service in their fields.
They are awarded following nominations and a judging process to companies who are the “most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work” and whose achievements distinguish them from their competitors.
Award Co-ordinator Holly Blackwood said: “One of the joys of this programme is realising the sheer talent and skill that permeates every inch of the British business sphere across all industries and fields.”
“So, here’s a massive congratulations and I hope you all have a wonderful and productive rest of the year ahead.”
The honour is the first business award received by the Go Forth team who recently began a second five-year term following a successful re-ballot campaign.
Danielle McRorie-Smith, Project Director at Go Forth Stirling, is delighted with the endorsement given to the not-for-profit company.
She said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for our hard work by the UK Enterprise Awards and the news is especially timely as we have just started our second term following a successful vote in favour of the BID in July. “
“Winning the Best Urban Development Award for non-profit organisations means a lot to us and helps highlight the initiatives and projects we have introduced over the past five years to help make Stirling a more welcoming destination for businesses, visitors and shoppers.”
“We now look forward to delivering the initiatives set out in our five-year plan to raise Stirling’s profile further and create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant environment.”
Key initiatives launched by the BID during its first term include the introduction of Street Ambassadors, free public Wi-Fi for Stirling city centre, business grants for shopfront improvements, the Street Stories project which brightened up empty buildings and the launch of the Independent Stirling website.
Go Forth is now focusing on its ambitious five-year plan, drawn up following consultation with local businesses, with proposals including better street cleaning, an enhanced winter festival and the introduction of annual business awards.
Other topics high on the agenda are tackling parking concerns, introducing improved wayfinding and signposting around the city and addressing the number of vacant properties.
Go Forth currently represents more than 600 local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve Stirling’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
For more details, visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
