Spring 2014 to 2015 Activity Overview PA23 Dunoon BID Spring 2014 to 2015 Activity Overview

BID Events staged 2014/15

BID Events staged 2014/15

and costs….. Dunoon Dazzles Nov 2014 - £11,495 Summertime Funtime May 2014 - £3,500 Hoof it For The Hospices July 2014 - £3,000 FootGolf Launch Event May 2014 - £8,700 Sunset Ceremony August 2014 - £6,400 Ladies Lunch November 2014 – £4,600 Revival Music Festival Oct 2014 - £12,100 Dunoon Ride and Run March 2015 - £11,400

Selected Events Feedback - Dunoon Dazzles Chritmas Lights Switch On – This has now become firmly established as a major event within the wider Cowal area events calendar, having been taken on by the BID in November 2013 and now attracts upwards of 4,000 visitors from around the peninsula on the day, with clear and acknowledged commercial benefits to many BID levy payers. FootGolf Launch in May 2014 – The PA23 BID and the town has led the way across Scotland, with Cowal Golf Club being the first ever Scottish club to add this alongside it’s core golfing function. This ongoing and sustainable concept has now attracted well over 500 players to Dunoon since launch and the inaugural event attracted national media coverage for the town that would otherwise not have been achieved. To date, there are almost 30 group bookings totalling approximately 150 people for visits commencing early April 2015

Selected Events Feedback cont’d - Sunset Ceremony 2014 – This traditional (if unofficial) curtain raiser event for the Cowal Gathering was taken on by the Dunoon BID for 2014 and significantly upscaled in terms of production, content and running order. The major priority of the production was to entice visitors and crucially locals, to support and sample the delights of the 2014 Gathering, which was very much in a transition. It was important for the BID to work closely with the Gathering to also enhance the Saturday experience of the Games in Dunoon town centre and with some detailed partnership working, this was achieved, with a highly dramatic and enjoyable town atmosphere. Revival Music Festival – Late October 2014 saw the introduction of a Mods and Rockers themed festival to the town. This attracted national media coverage for Dunoon, in the Scotsman and Glasgow Herald. It is hoped to build upon this for 2015 and those plans are afoot. BID businesses benefited from the pub based gigs with a local business also providing the outside bar facilities at the headline gig in Dunoon Burgh Hall.

Events feedback….. Inaugural Dunoon Run and Ride Event – 28th March 2015 saw the first of what will become several quality and high end outdoor events the area will start to become host to. These type of events elsewhere, attract many hundreds of competitors which inevitably converts to spend in the local economy. This event generated almost 150 competitors and 36 bed nights. It is believed that this aspect is key as one part of addressing the decline in visitor numbers the town and wider area has experienced over the past decade or so. Work is ongoing in planning another 3 such events in 2015 and further announcements are imminent. These type of events shall start to create a ‘new identity and noticeability’ for Dunoon.

Other 2014/15 Activity….. Business Improvement Grants – To date almost 35 local businesses have taken advantage of these contributions available with the BID budget to upgrade internal, external property aspects or to assist in the investment of new equipment or technology. This initiative is ongoing so do capitalise on this opportunity. ****Tel: 01369 704311**** for further information on this easy to administer grant.

A&B Council CHORD funding – In August 2014, it was decided the BID should lead on the visual enhancement of the Dunoon Pier portacabins as a point of ‘first impression’ to tourists and visitors. This project was completed by a street artist and has been widely welcomed and the cost, 5k was allocated from the CHORD element within the BID budget. Separately, the BID company are also required to demonstrate annually their obligations to A&B council to maintain core funding. Hillfoot St streetscape enhancements - To address the belief of BID businesses in this area that the street was not receiving enough footfall and activity, the BID initiated the replacing of existing street flags and flagpoles and by doing so, has created a hugely improved streetscape visual appearance which is welcomed by the businesses who, crucially believe that this initiative is also driving sales. This project had been preceded by the BID initiating the earlier (in the year) than normal re- introduction of flags to Argyll St in April 2014.

2014/15 Activity contd….. Tourism Resources Company Report – In August 2014 this company were asked by Dunoon BID to advise on the best strategy to ‘re-position’ the town on the back the huge commercial potential it is believed exists in the activities of road cycling, mountain biking and all running disciplines. This piece of work will also be used as support in any related forthcoming funding applications. A number of the recommendations from this report are now being put into action. co

Further planned 2015 Events : Revival Music Festival – 3rd/4th July 2015 Cowal Peninsula Road Cycling Sportif – 22nd Aug 2015 Dunoon Book Festival – 2/3/4th Oct 2015 Harley Davidson Motorbike Gathering – 12/13th June 2015 Dunoon Half Marathon ‘Toward for a Tenner’ – 1st Aug 2015 Sunset Ceremony – 27th Aug 2015 Dunoon Mountain Biking Event – 10/11th Oct 2015 Dunoon Dazzles Xmas Event – 28th Nov 2015

Marketing of the Dunoon ‘brand’ Social media - To enable the effective re-emergence of Dunoon, utilising the correct marketing routes is essential. Social media is now a ‘must do’ option within any strategy and we are currently scouring the area to source the best resource available to assist further in this key area. www.dunoonpresents.co.uk– This site has been launched and has been specifically designed also to communicate directly with BID businesses via a log in portal which contains news items and updates, documents and introductions to business opportunities.

PA23 BID Objective “The Dunoon BID project shall strive to rejuvenate Dunoon, and return the town and wider area back on to the awareness of consumers, with a modern and credible marketing message and brand image, that is backed up by an enticing and world class proposition”