A GLOSSY brochure has been published to persuade Dudley Council to fund Halesowen Chamber of Trade’s campaign to seek Business Improvement District status for the town.
The chamber needs at least £25,000 to market the BID which businesses have to vote on to accept.
If agreed, the status enables a small levy to be put on business rates to be spent solely on promoting and enhancing the town to increase footfall and trade.
BID representative Barry Wheeler said between £75,000 and almost £180,000 a year could be raised, but the spending had to be on extras, not on services normally provided by the council.
Many towns, including Solihull and most recently West Bromwich, have taken on the status in order to boost their centres.
Mr Wheeler said BID money could pay for town centre security, a town centre manager, fund events like Halesowen by the Sea and provide support to new businesses.
He is hopeful discussions about the plan with council officials and cabinet member for planning and economic development Councillor Kurshid Ahmed will take place soon.
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