Clevedon businesses are overwhelmingly in support of a proposed business improvement district (BID).

Plans for a BID were first announced last year and the consultation phase of its development is now complete.

The scheme is predicted to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds over five years through businesses paying a portion of their business rates into an annual pot.

Money collected would then be put towards funding ways of attracting more visitors to Clevedon’s retail areas through marketing and street enhancement, as well as making the town more attractive for office-based businesses.

More specific aims of the BID include the founding of a creative hub, installing tourist information points, redeveloping the seafront’s concessions area and improving connectivity between different parts of the town.

John Fox, joint chairman of the BID, said: “This is great news for Clevedon businesses and residents as the BID has the potential to greatly improve the shopping experience and vitality of the centre, and thereby improve viability of businesses here.

“We anticipate the BID will raise around £500,000 for investment in marketing and street enhancement, and will probably grow to millions of investment over the next couple of decades.”

Joint chairman Victoria Saunders added: “BIDs are a proven approach to supporting the future of town centres under the growing threat of the internet as people change their shopping habits.

“We have seen the success locally of the Weston BID and several BIDs in Bristol and hundreds across the UK.

“The BID will undoubtedly enable businesses in Clevedon to work more closely together for the benefit of the town.”

The BID steering group, which is being led by business owners alongside Clevedon Town Council and North Somerset Council, is working towards completing a five-year plan which is set to be put to a formal vote in the Spring next year.

A simple 50 per cent majority would see the BID approved and put into action.