THE LONG-STANDING chair of Ulverston's Business Improvement District (BID) has said there are 'no hard feelings' after he failed to hold on to his board position.

Chris Nelson has been involved with the BID since 2014 and has been chair of the group since September 2015.

As the longest serving board member he put himself forward for re-election. However, Mr Nelson was unsuccessful in his attempt.

"I have been proud to serve Ulverston for three years, first preparing the BID proposal in 2014 and then as chair of the board since September 2015," Mr Nelson said.

"I have had the privilege of leading an excellent board, and they have got some fantastic results. But there is always more to do and I know the board is keen to push forward with more projects to benefit Ulverston."

The BID management board is made up of unpaid volunteers drawn from more than 450 businesses which pay the BID levy each year.

It draws its members from five business categories, with three places on the board from large business, small business, retail, hospitality, charities and schools.

Tony Martinez from Cumbria Teaching Agency has replaced Mr Nelson as the board's small business representative.

Mr Nelson said that his BID highlights have included seeing the success of projects like the lighting up of the Hoad monument, the new Christmas lights and the success of the BID’s backing for Ulverston in Bloom.

"The BID presents a the best opportunity for businesses to help create a brighter future for Ulverston and the £100,000 raised each year by the levy can only be spent in Ulverston," he said. "What’s good for the town should be good for businesses based there – both large and small – and the vast majority of those businesses are wholeheartedly behind the BID."

Mr Nelson said that he had plenty of other projects to keep himself occupied, including his involvement with a working group that wanted to get a tidal power barrage across Morecambe Bay.

It is expected that a new chair will be chosen in the first week of November.