Clacksfirst Recommends Ryden
03 June 2010
Following a competitive tendering process, Ryden has been appointed by Clacksfirst Limited as their recommended rating surveyor for the 2010 Scottish Rating Revaluation.
Clacksfirst Limited is a Business Improvement District (BID) company representing around 198 members, who are owners or occupiers of office and industrial properties across ten business parks, including Riverbank Industrial Area, Alloa Business Centre and Alva Industrial Estate. The Clackmannanshire BID area has a total current Rateable Value of approximately £5.8 million.
Ryden’s rating team beat four rivals to achieve this appointment and Tim Bunker, Partner in Ryden’s rating team, commented: “We are delighted to have been selected by Clacksfirst as their recommended rating surveyor and look forward to providing their members with advice on how to minimise their rates liabilities.”
He added: “Rates Demand notices were issued to all non-domestic ratepayers a few weeks ago and it is evident that values have risen significantly. It is therefore important, particularly in the current economic climate, for businesses to ensure that their rates outgoings are equitable, and we can help achieve this.”
Jamie MacSween, Chairman at Clacksfirst, said: “Clacksfirst is committed to helping its members through these difficult times and has been looking at a number of initiatives to save members money. Recognising that the 2010 rates revaluation could result in significantly higher rates, and therefore higher costs, Clacksfirst has spent some time investigating this issue for the benefit of its members. The outcome is that we are pleased to recommend the rating services of Ryden to our members.”
The Clacksfirst BID has six key objectives for the area which broadly are to: improve signage; collectively represent and promote members’ business interests; develop local transport initiatives; improve the image of the area; develop and manage a collective procurement strategy and recycling initiative; and improve security and crime prevention.
Ian Davison Porter, Project Director for Business Improvement Districts Scotland, said: “This service to BID businesses is a pilot project that we have been supporting Clacksfirst Ltd with and, if successful, can be replicated across Scotland. BIDs are not just about clean and safe areas; they are about trying to help the BID businesses reduce their operating costs by collective working, both locally and across the BIDs family in Scotland.”
