A PUSH to improve a town centre has taken a major step after a district council agreed to use its votes to back the scheme.

The proposed Business Improvement District for Northallerton, which is centred on the High Street, works by organisations within the catchment area paying a levy based on their rateable value.

That levy would fund a BID group run by local businesses that would in turn determine how the funds are used for everyone’s benefit.

Members of the cabinet agreed to use its three votes for its rateable premises in the town– for Northallerton Market and the Crosby Road and Applegarth car parks – in favour of the scheme.

Key BID proposals include marketing to promote the town, new events to draw visitors in and enhancing the town’s appearance. A manager would be employed to lead the plans.

The businesses will be allowed to set up a BID as long as 51 per cent of business ratepayers in the area vote in favour, to be carried out by a secret postal ballot organised by Hambleton District Council.

A 1.5 per cent levy would cost the authority £1,915 at current rateable values and councillors are being urged by officials to use its three votes in favour of the move.

The Northallerton Prison Site has a zero rateable value as it is unoccupied.

For months, local business leaders making up the BID steering group have led an intensive programme of consultation with owners and managers of firms within the proposed BID area – as well as visitors to the town – allowing all interested parties to help shape the BID proposal.

Every business within the BID area has had letters or visits in person from a member of the committee, encouraging people to come forward with ideas, questions and feedback.

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak has given his support to the project. He said: “I fully support efforts to establish a business improvement district in Northallerton.

“The town has a fantastic high street offering a very attractive range of shops and businesses, but those businesses cannot afford to be complacent in the face of fierce competition for shoppers from other town and cities and, of course, online retailing.

“The BID proposal offers a great opportunity to make Northallerton an even more popular shopping and leisure destination for local residents and visitors to the county.”

Postal ballot votes were sent out to those eligible to vote on October 13 and must be returned by 5pm on November 17.