BUSINESSES in Ulverston have voted by a 2-1 majority to create a Business Improvement District (BID).

The BID will generate £500,000 over five years to spend on promoting and improving the town.

The ballot took place on Thursday and saw 40 per cent of companies and shops cast their votes.

The process had to satisfy two tests - a majority in the number of those voting and a majority in Rateable Value of those voting.

Chris Nelson, chairman of the Ulverston BID Steering Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of the BID ballot and the resounding majority in favour of going ahead and establishing a Business Improvement District in Ulverston.

"A great many people on the Steering Group have put in a lot of work to get us to this success, but now there is more hard work to deliver real benefits for Ulverston.”

The BID will generate around £100,000 each year for five years through a levy of 1.25 per cent on the business rate, with additional money coming through match funding and grants. That money will all be spent in Ulverston for the benefit of the town, independent of any local authority influence.

“The priorities for action identified by consulting with businesses include car parking, rejuvenating the town centre, and marketing and promoting Ulverston to visitors and encouraging people in the surrounding area to buy local products and services. We will also be working with local employers to help with their presentation of Ulverston as a good place to come to live and work."

The next stage will be to create the BID company and elect board members.