AN Okehampton businessman has declared his hope that a potential Business Improvement District (BID) for Okehampton could benefit businesses in the town centre and in outlying estates.

George Mills runs PG Conversions in the Exeter Road Industrial Estate. Mr Mills has previously raised objections about the BID scheme.

He said: 'I have grown up in Okehampton, and fully support everyone working in the town centre.

'I merely do not want to see a BID scheme in the town that is to the detriment of outlying businesses in the industrial estates. If a BID does go ahead, I would like all businesses to be fully taken into account.'

A BID is a partnership between a local authority and the local business community to develop projects and services that will benefit the trading environment within a set area. It is funded by a levy on the businesses within the BID boundary, but is dependent on support from at least 50% of those businesses.

The Times incorrectly stated in the December 29 edition that the BID would require 75% support from local businesses. We would like to clarify that a BID actually requires 50% majority share of a ballot vote to be passed.