Plans for a new Business Improvement District (BID) in Slough will be unveiled to town centre firms this month.

If successful, Slough Borough Council says the BID could raise more than £2 million in the first five years to improve the town centre.

There are more than 300 BIDs across the UK delivering projects to support the local business community.

In Slough the BID will focus on security, marketing and events, business support, environment, and the interests of the business community.

All projects as part of the BID will be over and above any work already being done in the town centre by other organisations.

The business plan will be launched in a drop-in style event at HOME Slough between 2.30 and 6.30pm on Tuesday, May 14, where business owners and managers will be able to get a copy of the plan and talk to steering group members about the BID proposal.

The businesses will then be asked to vote for the BID proposal in a ballot that runs from May 30 to June 27.

Businesses will also vote on whether they want to pay into the scheme. If the BID is successful, every eligible business will have to pay a levy of 1.25 per cent of the rateable value of their business property. These businesses will then lead the BID and will determine how this money is spent.

Chairman of the steering group, Andrew Wright of Kingdom Property Services, said: “It is well known that high streets across the UK are facing an increasingly difficult economic environment. With the BID, businesses of Slough now have a chance to take matters into their own hands.

“Slough is in need of a big boost to get back into shape, and a BID is a brilliant chance to generate ideas, working in partnership with local businesses, to help bring Slough to a new season of success.”

The BID project is being supported by Revive & Thrive. Director Matthew Powell said: “We have seen BIDs transform local business environments in towns across the country. BIDs not only give businesses a chance to collectively invest in their area but provide an elected representative voice to the business community which can be transformative.”

Josie Wragg, chief executive of Slough Borough Council, said: “The BID is a great opportunity for businesses to decide what improvements they want to see in the High Street and what they need in place to ensure growth and to attract more people to the area.

“If you are a town centre based business in Slough, I would encourage you to go along on May 14 to find out more.”

Visit www.sloughbid.co.uk for more information.