BUSINESS owners in York's city centre are being invited to find out more about plans for a Business Improvement District (BID) in York.

More than 1,000 businesses in York city centre are being consulted over plans to raise almost £4.4 million over the next five years to improve the city’s economic environment.

If approved, the BID scheme will raise in the region of £878,000 annually through imposing a levy on businesses, equating to one per cent of the rateable value of their business.

The money will then be spent on improvement schemes, jointly agreed upon by business owners within the BID.

As part of the consultations a drop in event is being held tomorrow between 11am and 7pm at the Monkbar Hotel.

Steve Hughes, who is leading the BID consultation, said: " Every business in the city centre should have received our consultation document and questionnaire by now and we have been talking to as many businesses as possible to get their views.

"The support has been overwhelming. Most businesses can see the economic and environmental benefits that have been delivered by BIDS elsewhere.

But, most importantly, they want to work together to create an even better city centre to improve trade and create a safer, cleaner family friendly city.

"We are collating all the responses and ideas and we want to hear from as many businesses as possible so we would urge them to return their questionnaires or complete it online at www.theyorkbid.com"