A Nairn businessman is spearheading a campaign against a Business Improvement District (Bid) for the Highland town.
David Ross, who owns a commercial property on the High Street, claims fellow business owners were threatened with legal action over non-payment of the levy.
He has now launched a campaign after feeling aggrieved that over 150 businesses in the Bid area did not vote for the implementation, with proprietors now feeling forced to pay the levy to avoid legal proceedings.
In total, 281 properties are in the Nairn Bid area, with 130 voting on the implementation of the project.
Mr Ross claims the scheme was not explained fully and is now launching a petition for businesses liable to the Nairn Bid to have another chance for their say over whether they support the Bid.
Mr Ross said: “The reason for doing this now is quite a few of the businesses, who do not want to pay the levy as they do not feel it will benefit them, have received demands for payment, otherwise sheriff officers will come around by the end of February.
“The Bid should not have not even reached ballot. Highland Council’s formal assessment, under the Scottish Government regulations, does not thoroughly consider certain factors.”
Mr Ross has claimed the information brochure distributed to local businesses include problems with the area map, the levy table and the methods to pay.
He added: “The document is not fit to stand up to cast a vote upon, which then leads you to be liable for a forcible payment.
“I have no option but to pay my bill by the end of March, otherwise I will have the sheriff officers around, which will then put a county court judgement against my name and my business, and that goes on your record – so you have no choice.”
Mr Ross also feels the percentage rate that businesses included in the Nairn Bid have to pay is unfair and citing e-models utilised in Inverness, Aberdeen and Elgin as prime examples of what Nairn businesses should have received.
Within the Nairn Bid, the levy payable ranges from 0.5% to 12.5%, depending on which band businesses fall into, with the percentage values ranging from 1% in Aberdeen to 1.6% in Elgin for all businesses.
A spokeswoman for Nairn Bid said: “In Summer 2018, local businesses were invited to vote either for or against a Bid for Nairn in line with current legislation. With 51.18% of the head count voting (59.41% rateable value) the Bid was confirmed with a yes vote of 82.3%.
“Payment queries from members have been taken up with Highland Council who have allowed members to have flexibility with regards to payments and we are aware that a number of members have already agreed a plan with Highland Council.
“An error with the band layout was made in the brochure; however, any business in the top band was contacted and made aware of this error prior to voting. The feedback and ideas coming from Bid members has been highly positive and we look forward to that continuing.”
