MORE than 1,000 businesses in York's city centre are to be balloted in November over plans to create a Business Improvement District.

In the latest stage for plans to introduce a Business Improvement District (BID) in York, councillors are being asked to approve a ballot, which will see 1,150 business vote in November on whether to adopt the scheme.

Officially launched in April this year, the BID project seeks to charge businesses within the inner ring road a one per cent levy on the rateable value of their business in a bit to raise £878,000 a year, to be spent on improvement schemes, jointly agreed upon by business owners within the BID.

Plans for the ballot will be put to the cross-party Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, before going to the Executive on July 30.

Cllr Keith Aspden, deputy leader of City of York Council with responsibility for Economic Development and Community Engagement, said: "These proposals look to offer businesses more of a say and decide how they might use their resources to benefit the city’s economy.

"As a council we are looking to help local businesses thrive and ensure everyone enjoys York’s unique heritage as well as make our city centre a better place to visit and shop.

"The Business Improvement District looks to support this through increased investment and a focus on key areas to improve the city centre.”

How the funding is spent will be decided by the Business Improvement District board and will focus on areas impacting the city centre including; tackling anti social behaviour, improving the cleanliness of the city centre and providing business and procurement support for city centre businesses.

The initiative, led by City Team York, a group of local businesses chaired by Adam Sinclair, has already received backing from a number of business owners.

Michael Hjort, owner of Walmgate Ale House, and managing director of York Festival of Food and Drink, said: "York needs to deliver an appealing family friendly environment built around the engagement of the city's local population.

"There is a groundswell of support from centre business determined to improve the attractiveness and vitality of the city centre.

"The BID is York's opportunity to create a clear, compelling and unique retail and hospitality identity embedded within York's historic setting."

Brian Furey, landlord of The Gillygate: "York constantly appears in Top 10 tourist attractions worldwide, high profile companies are setting up home here and it is a venue for major sporting and artistic events.

"Successful cities need a clear and compelling message and identity. It is essential that we all play our part in promoting this message and presenting this unique city of ours at its best. The York Bid project is the mechanism to do this."

Following the BID voted in November, results are due to be announced in December, and if approved the BID will come into force in April next year.