About Us

Who are we?

Essential Edinburgh was formed on 1st July 2008 after a positive Business Improvement District (BID) ballot result was recorded. Following a positive renewal ballot on 23rd March 2023 – with 92% vote in favour – the fourth term of the BID commenced on 1st April 2023 and will run until 31st March 2028.

Essential Edinburgh’s Vision

We believe in working collaboratively to create, develop and promote a better, more prosperous and sustainable city centre. Through a varied and innovative range of projects we endeavour to make our city centre safe, green, vibrant, and commercially strong.

Essential Edinburgh’s objectives are to:

• Maintain a determined focus on supporting city centre business to increase customer numbers and revenue.
• Ensure the delivery of world-class environmental services within the city centre.
• Proactively market Edinburgh city centre as a world-class business, retail and tourism destination.
• Facilitate collaborative and productive relationships between city centre businesses and the public and third sectors.