COLCHESTER is looking to become a Business Improvement District.

A survey of retailers commissioned by the Colchester Town Team revealed 82 per cent were in favour of creating a large business-led group which could mean the town becoming a “Bid”.

If it happened, the Bid would help to promote events being held in the town, improve marketing and fund other improvement projects.

In 2007, a campaign to start a Bid in Colchester was launched, but just 83 traders voted in favour of the scheme.

Larger outlets were unhappy they would have to pay a bigger levy to get involved, which would subsidise smaller outlets.

Colchester Retail Business Association chairman Michelle Reynolds believes a wide ranging business group would be beneficial for the town.

She said: “If I can afford £50 per month for marketing, how is that going to bring people into my store? It won’t buy much, but if I joined with nine other stores who had £50 to put in then it would be £500 per month in the budget.

“If everyone put in a sum of money every month it would create an even more meaningful investment. I am dependent on other traders to get involved, to give us feedback and create a big working party – Team Colchester.”

To become a Bid, half of the retailers, by aggregate value and by turnout, would have to back the idea.

Managing director of Williams and Griffin Carl Milton said a partnership approach was crucial to improving Colchester.

He added: “We need to make more of initiatives, work in conjunction with the council and act collaboratively to move forward.”

Culver Square Shopping Centre manager Dave Robertson said: “We want to show Colchester is better than Ipswich and Clacton.

“There have been events like the Secret Vintage Fair, Invasion Colchester and Student Lock-In which have increased footfall. We want to try to get other businesses involved and throw our weight towards some of the smaller stores and get them on board.

“We all believe for us to be successful then Colchester has to be successful.”

Colchester Council chief executive Adrian Pritchard said any new group needed to be led by the businesses in the town.

“Last time there was a discussion about a Bid a huge number of traders did not vote,” he said.

“Any new group needs to be business-led and it needs proper funding, but would it need to be a Bid?

“The council recognises Colchester is struggling and I feel the town is a bit fragmented and the public sector is not getting things right for the traders.

“We will have to ask how we want to go forward and how it is going to be funded.”

Further discussions will be held.