CuparNow, Scotland’s award-winning digital improvement district, is signing up to join the UK’s Association of Town & City Management …

Alison Strachan, the Chair of CuparNow’s steering group, explains the decision to join, saying: ‘ATCM is the body that supports and represents the town and city management industry across the whole of the UK. Our ground-breaking improvement district will be best supported by them and their work providing representation to influencers and investors at local, regional, national and international levels.’

Simon Baldwin of Destination Digital Ltd, the company that delivers CuparNow, says: ‘There is no equivalent network that has the scale or diversity of ATCM’s partnership structure. In terms of networking, best practice, innovation, thought leadership and political influence, this gives Cupar, our improvement district and the town’s businesses an edge.’

ATCM is a not-for-profit organisation that has close to 500 members across the country. Chair of ATCM, Leigh Brown, welcomes CuparNow’s decision, saying: ‘Our members develop and implement shared visions, strategies and action plans that benefit hundreds of district, town and city centres across the UK. We are delighted to welcome CuparNow as a unique digital improvement district proposition and I look forward to working with them.’

Bill Harvey, fellow Director in Destination Digital, adds: ‘There are many organisations offering support to towns. We have chosen ATCM as they provide not only the most diverse membership – a mix of town centre managers, improvement districts, community interest companies, town teams, businesses, universities and more – but also covering the private, public and voluntary sectors. They have no political allegiance, act as a true lobbying organisation to their members benefit and are focused on the promotion of places in support of all stakeholders.’

CuparNow is in discussions to host a virtual event in the town. Simon Baldwin adds: ‘The lockdown is easing, restrictions are being lifted – and we are very keen to demonstrate our unique digital improvement district’s offering to a wider audience.’ He concludes: ‘We want to showcase the work that has been delivered since we won our ballot last December as well as the work we are developing through our hub and spoke approach – delivering managed, integrated digital communication and services seven days-a-week for to support multiple audiences across the town and rural catchment.’

 

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