A BUSINESS Improvement District (BID) is to be set up in Tavistock after more than 75% of businesses voted in favour of the scheme.

Project leaders said they were delighted with the result — implementation of the business plan to enhance and market the town will begin in November.

Tavistock follows Plymouth and more than 70 other towns in the UK in forming a BID. Tavistock was in the top six highest voted ballots in the country.

Money will be raised by a levy based on the rateable value of business properties, which is less than £5 a week for 75% of the 300 or so businesses within the designated town centre area. It will bring in approximately £60,000 a year for the next five years

Chairman of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce Nigel Eadie said: 'I'm over the moon with the result as there has been a lot of hard work and effort put in by the Tavistock steering group.

'This result will enable us to go from strength to strength in improving the vitality of the town for anyone who works, lives or visits Tavistock.'

He expressed thanks to everyone who had been involved in the process over the last year.

Robin Rich, of the 'I Love Candy' sweet store, said he was 'ecstatic': 'It's just fantastic — the BID is a classic opportunity for all of us to work together for the town. Okay, so we have to pay a few extra pounds but we need money to push things forward and attract new people here.'

Georgina Elias, owner of Georgina's Pets, said 'It's wonderful — the best thing that could have happened to Tavistock.

'We can get events here and all sorts. When there is something going on in the square, the town brings so many people from different places.'

Valerie Davenport from Kaleidoscope toy shop said she was really pleased, really excited and looking forward to making a difference: 'We need to bring community spirit back into the town,' she said.

Voting took place during the whole of June and was independently conducted by Electoral Reform Services of London. Of the 154 businesses who took part in the poll, 122 voted in support of the scheme.

For the BID to go ahead, the rateable values of those businesses voting for the proposal had to exceed that of those voting against. Yes voters totalled just over £2-million out of a total of £2.5-million.

The next step is for a board of directors to be set up, including a wide and varied range of business representation.

BID group team member Lisa Wadling said a majority vote was needed but it was great to get more than 75% of businesses behind the scheme.

'It will then be a case of getting things into action and whatever we do will be from the business plan — that is what people voted for,' she said.

Four keys areas have been highlighted in the business plan — marketing and promotion, car parking, the town environment and business support and monitoring.

James McInnes, Leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'We are delighted with the outcome and now look forward to working with local businesses and the wider community for the benefit the town.'