Alloa First (formerly known as Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement District) is a business-led initiative where businesses work together, with the sole objective of collectively investing in the town centre, towards the aim of creating a brighter future for the business environment.
The crucial benefit of Alloa First is that the goals and actions are set by the business community and the investment is spent locally.
They first became operational in October 2008 and over the past 11 years, have invested over £1,000,000 of member’s money directly back into Alloa town centre. A few of their highlights and achievements have been the recent upgrade of town centre CCTV, The BIG recycle project, free town centre Wi-Fi, the introduction of a monthly producers’ market, the funding of the annual Christmas lights and Switch On event, a Love Local marketing campaign, spearheading Alloa in Bloom as well as representing the local business community at the many forums throughout Clackmannanshire.
The Board of Directors are made up of local business owners, managers and people with a vested interest in the town centre, they each bring an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience.
With an open-door policy of “if the lights are on – we’re in” the Alloa First office is a hive of activity. The prominent High Street position allows the business community easy access to information, support and resources. The space also currently houses the town centre CCTV and is frequently used as a meeting venue for workshops and training.
Despite the many challenges facing town centres, Alloa has a bright future. The recent award of £683,000 from the Scotland’s Town Centre Capital Fund will allow significant improvements to the town centre including the opening of an Active Travel and Information Hub.
As part of Clacks Business Week 2020, Alloa First are involved in three events, all taking place on Tuesday 3 March, otherwise known as #TownCentreTuesday.
Firstly, at 9am The Ladybird Tea Room will host Forth Valley Breakfast Buzz, an informal and friendly networking for businesses across Forth Valley. There’s no registration required and Alloa First are even supplying the tea/coffee and breakfast rolls!
Then at 2.30pm and hosted by Alloa First and Clackmannanshire Council, “Living Alloa – Town Centre Walk About”, will visit the 5 local project areas marked for improvement as part of Scotland’s Town Centre Grant with Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership. Email Diane@alloafirst.co.uk for details.
In the evening, Alloa First would like to invite you to join them in The Royal Oak at 6.30pm where Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, will be their guest speaker. Phil has over 25 years economic development experience across the public and private sectors and his role as Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership is to drive sustainable change through collaboration and partnership. Despite the numerous factors and pressures impacting on our towns, Phil believes that empowered communities can be energised to ensure that Scotland’s towns remain vibrant and continue to play a vital role in our nation’s future. RSVP Diane@alloafirst.co.uk to confirm your attendance and to hear Phil’s thoughts on the future of the town centre followed by an opportunity to ask questions and stimulate debate.
To keep up to date with Alloa First, subscribe to their weekly e-bulletin by emailing Diane@alloafirst.co.uk, check out their website at www.alloafirst.co.uk, like and follow on Facebook, AlloaFirst and Twitter @AlloaFirst.
#TownCentreTuesday.