An open meeting in Carnoustie is being held by the group that hopes to make the town a Business Improvement District.
Bids are not-for-profit groups developed and funded by businesses with the aim of achieving mutually- beneficial aims.
The Carnoustie steering group has been operating for more than a year and has been consulting with many businesses in the town about what they would like to see in a local scheme.
For a business improvement district to go ahead more than half of businesses and property owners are required to vote in favour. More than 50% of businesses by rateable value are also required to vote for the Bid.
A ballot will be held this year but, in the meantime, an open meeting will be held at the Panmure Centre on Kinloch Street on Monday September 21 from 7pm to 9pm.
This is the second open meeting run by the steering group and to which all the town’s business are invited, to learn more about the Bid process.
Peter Burke, formerly of the Fobel Shop, is steering group chairman, with representatives from more than a dozen other businesses in the town part of the group. Neil Cooney is the Bid manager.
Mr Burke said: “The first open meeting was very successful, with more than 30 business representatives attending.
“A wealth of information regarding the Bid was shared and many questions answered.
“The planned ballot is at the end of the year and we have further, more substantial details to share.
“Additionally, Angus Council’s economic development department will hold a small marketplace showing what support they already offer new and existing businesses in Angus.
“We hope that as many businesses in Carnoustie as possible will come along to the meeting and participate. We need their views.”
If the ballot is successful then the steering group will be replaced by a not-for-profit company with a board of directors.
There are 27 BIDs in Scotland, which have found they can benefit from shared marketing costs and collective purchasing.
Some groups in Scotland have also carried out environmental, safety and access improvements.
The BID concept is born out of Town Centre Management Partnerships, which was originally set up in Canada in the 1960s, but took off in the US in the late 1970s.
Bids are under development in Broughty Ferry, Crieff and St Andrews; however, Dundee’s Bid failed at the ballot stage earlier this year.