MORE than 200 businesses have been consulted on contributing money to improve Colchester town centre.

Colchester Presents, set up by shops, Colchester Council and other organisations, is supporting the proposal to make Colchester a Business Improvement District.

Businesseses would be required to pay an additional tax or levy in order to fund projects in the town.

The same proposal was put forward in 2007 but failed after 192 businesses voted against it.

Carl Milton, chairman of Colchester Presents and managing director of Fenwick, is bringing the proposal back to the table with confidence it is the right solution to improve the town.

He said: “We have been reaching out to businesses saying we would like their support in Colchester becoming a BID town.

“When Fenwick was launched it showed the opportunities within Colchester, and how we don’t have to look very far.”

There are five stages to the BID process and the consultation stage is taking place. A business plan will then be rolled out.

Mr Milton said it would tackle issues including anti-social behaviour, vacant units, the public realm and cleanliness.

He said Colchester’s heritage had an important role to play in improving the town centre.

He said: “Our heritage is both positive and challenging in the same breath. The usage of the town centre will be diverse and we need to update ourselves on how people will need to use the town centre.”

He said pedestrianisation of the High Street may be a solution, but all businesses would need to work together to find out what is possible.

The consultation will finish in the new year but there will still be communication with businesses to make sure they get a return in investment.

Business Improvement Districts usually charge a levy of between 1 per cent and 4 per cent of rateable value to pay for initiative - a figure based on the size and location of a shop.

It is not clear at this point how much individual businesses will be asked to pay.

Businesses subject to the levy will vote in a ballot which determines whether the scheme goes ahead.

Mr Milton added: “Whatever the scale of your business we all face the same problems including a decline in footfall and a rise in online shopping.

“It’s exciting for the town as it deserves better, the key strength is everyone is on the same page. I have never been to a town with so much passion.”