BUSINESSES in Bognor Regis are receiving their Business Improvement District ballot voting papers this week from the Electoral Reform Service.

Town Centre Manger Toyubur Rahman has co-ordinated the development of the BID proposal and says it would be great for the town.

He said: “It’s down to the businesses now.

“They have decided what their priorities are and the solutions to help tackle them, it’s all in the proposal.

“This is a great opportunity for them to take action themselves and make Bognor Regis better for business.

“If businesses want to see a better Bognor Regis, want to do more business and want more influence in how Bognor Regis develops, then they will vote Yes!”

A BID is an arrangement whereby business get together and decide what additional improvements they want to make and what it will cost them.

This all goes into a business plan which is voted on by all those who would have to pay.

The BID can last for a maximum of five years and must be able to demonstrate how it has benefited businesses.

Mr Rahman said businesses are excited about the prospect of having more control of their trading environment and working with partner.

The priorities would be:

- to promote a positive image of Bognor Regis and change perceptions

- reduce crime and anti-social behaviour

- stimulate the evening and night-time economy

- better parking for visitors and staff.

Businesses have developed a plan that will help them invest more than £700,000 by creating a BID and implement their ideas to tackle the priorities they have identified.

Mr Rahman said that businesses are urged to look out for the papers in post and return their ballots in the pre-paid envelops as soon as possible.

Ballot papers need to be returned by 5pm on Monday July 3.

Mariya James from Boutique Roma and Hannah Shrimpton from The William Hardwicke were amongst the first businesses to vote in the ballot.

Mariya James, whose shop is based in The Arcade, said: “I’ve voted yes for the BID because I want Bognor Regis to look better, bring more people into town and do better business.”

Hannah Shrimpton from the pub in the High Street, said: “We’re supporting this positive step towards a co-ordinated business effort to make the town centre better.

We’re especially excited about the proposals to boost the night time economy and these activities will help businesses like ours.”

The BID proposal has been developed by businesses being represented by Bognor Regis Town Centre Management.

This is made up of Bognor Regis Traders’ Association, Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce, William Hardwicke, University of Chichester, Reynolds, Condor Blinds, Arun District Council, Unique Workwear, Butlin’s, Dream Fitness, Boots, Wilkinson and Morrisons,

The plan can be found at www.brbid.co.uk