A CONSULTANT has started a debate in Kendal regarding whether the town should become a Business Improvement District.

Councillors expect Chris Kolek to spend around 12 months discussing the concept β€” where each local firm pays one per cent of its rateable value to fund independent town enhancements.

A vote on the BID proposal is expected to take place next September and, if more than half the local businesses vote β€˜yes’, the funds will be collected from each business in the town.

Mr Kolek has visited 250 companies in Kendal so far to answer questions about the scheme, which was turned down in Windermere and Bowness last year and is currently being debated for Penrith.A website at www.kendalbid.co.uk has been created to communicate with and inform the town.