BID Fort William on the FW2040 Board: What This Means for Levy Payers

BID Fort William now has a seat on the FW2040 Board, strengthening the direct link between local businesses and long-term place planning for Fort William.

FW2040 is a partnership-led programme bringing together public, private and community interests to coordinate investment, infrastructure planning and regeneration priorities for the town. By joining the Board, BID Fort William is ensuring that the voice of levy payers is represented at a strategic level, where decisions about future priorities are shaped.

Why This Matters for Levy Payers

Representation on the FW2040 Board is not symbolic. It is a practical step that improves alignment, influence and value for money.

For levy payers, this means:

• Earlier visibility of planned projects that may affect the town centre, trading conditions or footfall
• Stronger alignment between BID activity and wider regeneration investment, reducing duplication and maximising impact
• A clear business voice in discussions around infrastructure, public realm and economic priorities
• Improved access to partnership working and external funding opportunities, helping stretch BID resources further

This position allows BID Fort William to advocate for priorities that support commercial resilience, place quality and sustainable economic growth, while keeping business realities firmly in view.

A Governance-Led Approach

Participation on the FW2040 Board sits firmly within good BID governance practice. BID Fort William’s role is to represent levy payer interests, contribute constructively to strategic discussions, and maintain transparency about how wider partnership decisions may affect local businesses.

Importantly, this does not create additional cost or financial commitment for levy payers. Instead, it strengthens oversight, collaboration and information flow, supporting better-informed decision-making across the town.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming year, BID Fort William will use its FW2040 Board position to:

• Feed levy payer priorities into long-term planning discussions
• Identify opportunities where BID projects can complement or unlock wider investment
• Share relevant updates with levy payers where strategic decisions may impact the BID area

This is about working smarter, not broader – ensuring BID activity is connected, credible and commercially focused.

If you have views on priorities that you would like represented through this partnership, BID Fort William welcomes engagement.