Proposals to create the borough’s first Business Improvement District (BID) in Halesowen have taken a step forward after being approved at Dudley Council’s cabinet meeting last night.

The proposed BID, which would involve local businesses paying a small percentage of their rateable value to a BID company, could help improve trade and investment in the area. Halesowen BID is being supported by the Halesowen Chamber of Trade and other organisations and approximately £120,000 each year could be generated via the levy.

The funds would then be used on things like improved security, events, promotion and the environment. It would be ring-fenced to spend on specific projects agreed by the businesses in the BID for the benefit of trade in their area.

Dudley Council and those involved with the BID proposals will now meet frequently in the lead up to a ballot for businesses, which will take place later this summer. If successful the BID will begin operating shortly afterwards. Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said:

“We have backed this exciting opportunity to introduce the borough’s first BID, which has resulted in great things for BID areas across the country by helping to attract new funding and make improvements for businesses.

"There is a strong business case for the Halesowen BID and if the ballot is successful it will help to boost trade, jobs and footfall for the area, which is something we would very much welcome.”

There are more than 200 BIDs operating nationally.