Welwyn Garden City will become a Business Improvement District (BID) in the new year

The result of a ballot of businesses within the town centre was announced last night.

It revealed a massive 77 per cent of property owners and operators by floospace were in favour.

And of the total number of businesses, 67 voted yes.

To go ahead with the BID there had to be a maririty vote in both categories.

It means that there will be an investment of £1.5 million in the centre over the next five years.

This will be paid for by an extra levy on the rates.

BID status will begin in April 2017.

Paul Haynes, interim chairman of the BID board and manager of the Howard Centre said: “We are overjoyed town centre businesses have demonstrated their confidence and enthusiasm in the BID Business Plan.

“This is the beginning of a very exciting time for WGC.”

The business plan the vision is ‘To create a town centre which is innovative and modern, which builds on the unique Garden City principles and characteristics to make it a great place to visit, work and live’.

Projects formulated over the five year period will be influenced by town centre businesses.

For more on the project see next week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times.