BUSINESSES in the town are being invited to take part in an online questionnaire to establish what is needed most in Okehampton.

The questionnaire has been set up by the steering group behind the Business Improvement District proposal, and only takes several minutes to complete.

Subjects include marketing and promotion, events, parking and traffic, business support and town enhancement ideas.

The team behind the BID is currently looking to engage with businesses and begin to build a BID proposal based on what services they would want from a successful BID.

The team has held public meetings inviting businesses in the town to take part and share their ideas on how to improve the town's business prospects.

A BID is a partnership between the business community and local authority, formed to develop and improve a defined business area through projects and services to benefit the trading environment and town as a whole.

It is funded by a levy within the BID boundary, but is dependent on support from at least 50% of those businesses. The Okehampton BID will focus on how to improve prospects for the town centre.

A BID can only be formed following a consultation period and a ballot in which businesses vote on a BID proposal or business plan.

The vote is open to all businesses within the proposed BID area which are eligible to pay the levy.

To ensure the interests of both large and small businesses are considered, the ballot must be won by claiming at least 50% of the vote and by the rateable value majority of those voting for the BID.

Printed invitations are being delivered to all businesses within the town centre so that they can take part. The questionnaire is available online at http://www.okehamptonbid.co.uk">www.okehamptonbid.co.uk

For more details phone 01837 658643 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]