The City of Elgin Business Improvement District were voted in for another five year company term yesterday.
The result was announced in the Gallery Room at Elgin Library by Reni Milburn, principal officer for economic development at Moray Council.
The announcement brings to an end a seven week period during which businesses in Elgin city centre made a decision on whether to retain or disband the Bid scheme.
The first ballot which took place in November 2009 saw a turnout of 45% of eligible businesses.
Five years later, 216 out of 407 or 52.38% of businesses returned their ballot papers – 122 businesses voted yes to the retention of the Bid and 94 businesses voted against the scheme.
David Urquhart, chairman of Elgin Bid, said: “We are delighted that the businesses have cast their democratic vote and given us their permission to continue on the journey we started 5 years ago.
“During that time, a lot has been achieved, and we are immensely proud of activities we have undertaken.
“We have learned a lot from the last five years, but we are in no way complacent about the level of work still required and what the next 5 years will bring but are keen and determined to rise to the challenge of continuing the regeneration of the town centre and making it a must visit destination.
“People say, ‘Lets go to Prague for the weekend’. We want them to say, ‘Why don’t we go to Elgin for the weekend’.”
Vice-chairman David Robertson added: “Thank you to all the businesses who took the time to send off their ballot papers.
“This result confirms the passion that so many of the businesses within the City of Elgin have. You have our word that we will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf, and we look forward to the exciting developments that the next five years will bring.
“I genuinely believe that together we will be able to achieve far more than working alone, and we want those against Bid to come and work with us.
“Communication is the most important thing, and we want to work with all our members to make Bid the best it can possibly be.”