EFFORTS to create an official Business Improvement District in the county town of North Yorkshire are moving on to the next phase.

The results of a survey on what businesses and customers think about Northallerton and the opportunities it offers are to be discussed at a meeting next month.

And then work will begin in earnest on the BID proposal – which could lead to many of the local businesses paying an annual levy.

Since a well-attended meeting in February, support for the initiative has grown, with some key new members, according to the Northallerton Retail and Business Forum.

Its steering group joined forces with Hambleton District Council to carry out their retail and town centre survey on what customers think of Northallerton.

There were also questions about what respondents think the town needs to move forward.

Steering group chairman and Bettys manager Lindsay Judd said: “At our last public meeting in February, it was clear that many businesses are eager to take charge of improving our town’s fortunes and full of ideas to help do so.

“Now the survey results are in, before we start work in earnest on the business plan for the BID, we want to share the survey results and see if they stimulate even more ideas.”

A meeting to explore the results will be held on June 9 from 6pm in Barkers Kitchen - the upstairs restaurant in the High Street store.

Every business within the BID area should now have had either a letter or a visit in person from a member of the steering committee.

A website, northallertonbid.co.uk, also carries details about the initiative. Businesses can contact any member of the BID committee direct to discuss any matters of interest. A full list can be found on the website.

The idea behind the BID proposal for an area centred on the High Street is to build on the town’s strengths.

If approved by a majority vote among business owners, all businesses within the BID would pay a levy based on rateable value, with the smallest businesses exempt.

The levy would fund a group run by local businesses for local businesses that would determine – through consultation – how the cash should be used for the benefit of all.

Key proposals include marketing to sell the town’s offering further afield and support existing and new events that draw visitors in; providing better business support; enhancing the town’s appearance and environment and taking steps to make visits to the town even more safe and secure.