PLANS to make the county town of North Yorkshire an official Business Improvement District are forging ahead.

Visitors to Northallerton are now being urged to give their views on how the town could be improved.

And business owners will also be surveyed as part of the next stage of investigating the BID proposal.

To get the issue off the ground almost 50 interested parties and businesses attended a launch event at Barkers store on the High Street.

Steering group chairman Lindsay Judd said: “The level of support for the proposal is really encouraging and we hope to be ready to ballot businesses in the BID area in October.

“This means we have a lot of work to do with our local supporters to ensure we put together a great proposal to drive Northallerton forward.”

He added: “The presentations were well received and there were lots of good, positive questions from the audience – we’re incorporating comprehensive answers to these questions on the BID website.

“The next stage will see us surveying businesses within the proposed BID area – as well as visitors to the town. This will be carried out as part of a new Retail Centres Study being undertaken by Hambleton District Council over the next few weeks.

“The questions will allow all interested parties to help shape the BID proposal.”

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

The levy would fund a BID group run by local businesses for local businesses that would determine – through consultation – how the funds are used for the benefit of all.

The meeting was opened by local Conservative MP Rishi Sunak, a supporter of the proposal.

“There is plenty of evidence available to show that business improvement districts can make a real difference to high streets and town centres,” he said.

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

Follow-up visits planned for April will encourage people to come forward with ideas, questions and feedback.

In the meantime, people can register their interest via the website northallertonbid.co.uk, where they will also find details about the BID.

Businesses can also contact any member of the BID committee direct to discuss any matters of interest. A full list can be found on the website.