A PLAN to set up a private sector-led group to help promote Basingstoke and attract more interest in the town centre is set to move a step closer next week.

As previously reported by The Gazette, Basingstoke Town Centre Forum, in partnership with local businesses and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, has been working on a proposal to form a Business Improvement District (BID).

The BID – named Basingstoke Together - would allow businesses and employers to work together to improve the town’s economy and entice more customers to come to the area.

Through the payment of a small levy, additional activities could be funded to finance public and business events, environmental improvements, bulk buying between businesses to save money or to have a more expansive Christmas lights display.

The BID would also enable businesses to buy in extra services above and beyond what they already receive from the borough council through the payment of standard business rates.

A ballot will take place in November which will see businesses in the BID zone vote in favour or against the proposals.

Successful BIDs have already been set up in Camberley, Newbury, Reading and Winchester.

At a meeting on Tuesday, borough council Cabinet members will be asked to approve the offer of accommodation in Market Chambers at the Top of The Town rent free for five years if businesses vote in favour of the BID, agree in principle negotiation for the new BID to run the market and town centre events programme for the first two years if the BID is approved and to authorise chief executive Melbourne Barrett to vote yes in the ballot on behalf of the local authority.

Issues raised by businesses involved in the BID discussions include congestion, cost of car parking for customers and staff, crime and anti-social behaviour and the need to bring in more retail.

The borough council’s deputy leader, Councillor Terri Reid, told The Gazette: “Our view is that we are bringing businesses together in the whole town centre and unlocking further funding for them and they would also be able to access shared services and obviously there would be cost savings in terms of buying into various services which they can purchase together.

“The whole point of having more events in the town centre is to increase footfall and to drive economic improvement for all businesses and to have a voice together.

“Working together gives them a stronger voice than individual businesses and then working together for joined up objectives.”

If the BID were to go ahead, the borough council would pay around £7,606 a year as seven of its properties are located in the BID area.