THE next stage of developing a Business Improvement District (BID) to support the drive for economic growth in a town centre has been given the go ahead.

Bosses at Burnley Council have approved plans to tender the process of creating a Burnley town centre BID after more than 60 per cent of businesses pledged their support to the idea.

A BID is a defined geographical area within which businesses are required to pay an additional tax, around one to two per cent, in order to fund projects within the district's boundaries.

The partnership is created to deliver additional projects and services to benefit businesses for five years and can only be set up following a successful ballot of businesses in that area.

Around 65 per cent of Burnley town centre businesses have told the executive board they support the proposal after a feasibility study was carried out by the council.

However 32 per cent of businesses in the town centre said they were undecided and three per cent said they were against it.

Council leader Mark Townsend said: "I'm pleased with the reaction from businesses, which is testament to the work taking place in the town centre.

"I think (businesses) can see the work we as a council put into the town centre and Charter Walk and private companies like Primark and the positive feeling in the town.

"(The feeling) is fragile but it's positive and there's less negativity than in years gone by. Hopefully that continues into the next phase."

Cllr Lian Pate, executive member for community, said: "It's good to see businesses want to invest more in the town they are based in.

"The businesses and agencies seem to be so much more together than they were five or six years ago. It's a different culture now."

Deputy leader John Harbour added: "I'm encouraged by the response of businesses.

"It's positive to hear it has been successful in so many places, who want to continue with it after the five years is up.

"It shows it works and hopefully it will benefit the town centre as well as the rest of Burnley."

The next stage of the tender process will include the appointment of a new consultant, which will take place in the next nine to 12 months, before moving onto the ballot stage.

There are 300 BIDs across the UK and Ireland, which were first started in 2004, which includes one in Blackburn with Darwen and was first initiated in 2014.