Six hundred Enniskillen businesses will not receive a request from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) for Christmas lights or CCTV payments this year.

Both items will be paid for from Business Improvement District (BID) funds; a pot of money which has been accumulating since April when 600 local companies received a BID bill for 1.5 per cent of the rateable value of the business.

The Enniskillen BID came into operation in April after 82 per cent of local businesses voted in favour of BID in October 2016.

In the first BID newsletter which arrived last week BID Manager Noelle McAloon outlined the range of new initiatives for Enniskillen that are based on feedback received from local businesses.

Enniskillen BID is working with FODC and the Policing and Community Safety Partnership on the CCTV provision which is currently paid in three equal parts by each body. BID will make the business contribution toward the cost of running CCTV.

Enniskillen BID will also make the contribution towards the cost of Christmas lights in Enniskillen on behalf of businesses.
In the run-up to Christmas, an Enniskillen Gift Card will be launched for Enniskillen in October.

“This will act as local currency for the town and aims to encourage spend within the area,” said Mrs. McAloon, “The Enniskillen Gift Card will be a pre-paid Visa card that will be redeemed in the same way as other Visa cards.

“There is no cost for businesses. Any business who currently processes card payments will be able to accept the Enniskillen Gift Card. Don’t worry if you don’t have merchant services. We can help you with this. The Enniskillen Gift Card will benefit independent traders, multi nationals and all sectors. This will be a fantastic boost for Enniskillen,” she stated.
An Enniskillen Christmas Marketing Campaign called the ‘Enniskillen Doors of Christmas’ will also take place. 

Mrs. McAloon explained: “The campaign will be supported by a strong digital marketing campaign together with press and radio media coverage. All levy payers can become a part of the campaign and feature as an ‘Enniskillen Door of Christmas’. Local marketing company Talk Up will manage the campaign. This is a completely new marketing concept for our town.”

The Christmas lights switch on will take place on November 25 and will include many family friendly activities throughout the afternoon and in various town locations.

Finally, Enniskillen BID will host an eight-week Digital Marketing course together with South West College, starting this September.

“Participants will learn about social media marketing, video marketing and email marketing, they will receive a Level 2 qualification and gain confidence,” said Mrs. McAloon. “Eligible business owners and staff must demonstrate that they are working on digital marketing presently or plan to in the future. The total cost for the eight-week course is £73. On completion of the course BID will provide a subsidy of 75 per cent.”

Mrs. McAloon stated: “Enniskillen BID need to keep in touch with local businesses and managers about projects that will have a direct impact on your business. But we need your email address or mobile numbers. Send these to noelle@enniskillenbid.co.uk or 07738491832.”