Newbury firms to start voting on Business Improvement District

If the proposed Business Improvement District (BID) is adopted, each town centre business will pay a one per cent levy based on the rateable value of the size of their business, generating an estimated £1,060,000 over a five year period.
Ballot papers have been sent out, with businesses having from Monday (April 2) until 5pm on April 30 to vote.
Shoppers, visitors and residents of Newbury will get the chance to find out how a BID could improve the town during a roadshow starting today (Thursday).
Businesses are invited to a free breakfast ay the Hoggit and Hoof restaurant in the Market Place between 8am and 9am.
Members of the public can meet the BID team, including BID coordinator, Caroline Paus, and BID manager, Russell Downing, both pictured above, outside the town hall between 8am and 3.30pm.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon, Newbury Mayor Jeff Beck, and local businesses people such as radio presenter Bruno Brookes and Parkway manager Neil Carter will also be present throughout the day.