Campaign by Stirling Bid to help business recover from Covid Crisis
Stirling’s Business Improvement District has launched a range of initiatives to help the city’s business community recover from the Covid-19 crisis.
Article Source: Blackburn Communications
Last Updated: 29 June 2020 13:32
STIRLING BID’S CAMPAIGN TO HELP BUSINESS RECOVER FROM CRISIS
Stirling’s Business Improvement District has launched a range of initiatives to help the city’s business community recover from the Covid-19 crisis.
The Go Forth Stirling team has been supporting business owners from the start of the pandemic and as shops begin to reopen, measures are in place to help them prepare for recovery.
These include the provision of protective equipment, free online training courses, sector-specific Covid-19 operating guidance and an `Open for Business’ online directory.
The projects are part of Go Forth’s comprehensive campaign to assist Stirling companies during the crisis and are funded in association with the Covid-19 BIDs Resilience Fund.
The funding package, administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership via Scotland’s Improvement Districts, aims to help the country’s 37 active BIDs play a vital role in supporting businesses and town centres during the crisis.
Go Forth Stirling Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “We were fortunate to receive a grant from the BIDs Resilience Fund which has been vital in helping Stirling’s business community recover following the pandemic.
“There are eight suggestions regarding how the grant should be spent and we have already fulfilled seven of these including developing a Virtual High Street, Destination Campaigns and Supporting PPE Supply.
“We’re also helping businesses in Preparing for Recovery by providing guidance on how to operate safely and how to reopen in line with government guidelines.
“We are working hard to give our traders as much help as possible so we can build a strong future for Stirling city centre as we emerge from the current crisis.”
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the BID has been proactive in supporting local businesses.
The levy payment made by traders was immediately suspended for six months and the organisation partnered with other business groups to form a local taskforce.
The taskforce – which includes Stirling Council, Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, STEP, Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland – set up a website www.investinstirling.com/investor-support/corona-virus-advice" to act as a portal for businesses to access the most up to date advice and guidance.
It includes details of available government grants, links to online forms plus a jobs portal and business support hotline.
Go Forth Stirling has also supported businesses through digital campaigns including a comprehensive online directory - www.goforthstirling.co.uk/open-for-business
The `Open for Business’ directory highlights which businesses remain open - either physically or virtually – as well as providing details of what services each is offering, how to access them and information on opening days and times.
Meanwhile the team has been proactive on social media highlighting and amplifying positive messages about individual shops and eateries on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and running themed campaigns.
A colourful `We’re Open; Shop Local’ poster campaign was also recently launched offering companies the chance to make clear which shops are open by displaying branded posters in their window.
Plans are also underway for an e-commerce Voucher Scheme, run jointly by Stirling Council and Go Forth Stirling, which will offer grants to help local companies start trading online or develop their existing online activity.
Further practical projects include the provision of sneeze shields and floor stickers which highlight the two-metre social distancing rule.
The protective aids have been delivered to more than 100 shops, cafes, takeaways, restaurants and banks as part of the BID’s #Keeping Stirling Safe campaign with a total of 900 stickers and 150 sneeze guards provided so far.
Meanwhile, a series of free online training courses run by Go Forth’s training partner Navitas Group have proved popular among business owners with hundreds signing up to train themselves and their staff since April.
To date, 384 certificates have been awarded to people completing the courses.
Two new courses are on offer each month and details of all the courses, running between now and the end of September, can be found via the link - www.goforthstirling.co.uk/online-training
The BID website also features a downloadable series of coronavirus control guidelines to help business owners reopen - www.goforthstirling.co.uk/preparing-for-recovery
The guidelines, written by environmental health experts, look at the sector-specific steps a company needs to take to ensure a safe re-opening and operation.
They feature suggested risk assessment templates and notices to display for hospitality premises with guidance available for companies offering takeaways.
Go Forth Stirling also ran a webinar where environmental health officers gave business owners advice on how to ensure safety when reopening, recommended PPE and what risk assessments to complete.
Ms McRorie-Smith added: “We recently updated our website to include a Covid-19 Hub which highlights all the support available to traders in addition to the regular information they receive via our newsletters.
“We are determined that Stirling city centre will come out of this crisis thriving and in as strong a business position as possible.
“We want to ensure the city continues to be a popular destination for local people and visitors alike.”
Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District (BID) represents close to 400
local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve the area’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
The BID was set up in September 2017 following a vote among the city’s traders and runs for an initial five-year term.
For more details visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Image: Go Forth Stirling Project Director - Danielle McRorie-Smith
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Stirling shoppers invited to celebrate their furry friends in new Thistles photography competition
Thistles, shopping centre in Stirling, has teamed up with a local Community Interest Company, Paws for Progress, to launch a heart-warming photography competition.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORE
Hidden treasures of Murrayfield
Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.
READ MORE
Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
National Wallace Monument wins Frankenstein approval from renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro made a personal visit to The National Wallace Monument before deciding to cast the iconic Stirling landmark in his new movie ‘Frankenstein’.
READ MORE
Time to Nominate Outstanding Companies for the 2026 Stirling Business Awards
The public has just two weeks left to nominate outstanding independent retailers for Go Forth Stirling BID’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORE
Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
The Christmas tradition of the year is back...
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland Meats Germany
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Sterling Home brings festive cheer with heartfelt Christmas donation
Leading furniture retailer Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a generous donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Have your say on new active travel project for south of Stirling city centre
People are being encouraged to have their say in the second stage of a consultation on four proposed active travel routes for the south of Stirling city centre.
READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice
Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.
READ MORE
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links