Launch event of the Norwich Business Improvement District at Aviva's Headquarters in Norwich. Photo: Steve Adams

Businesses in Norwich are being urged to say ‘yes’ to a pioneering plan to raise £3m aimed at helping to improve the city centre as a place to work and trade.

Leading firms including Aviva and Jarrold as well as a host of independent traders and smaller business , are backing a plan to create a Business Improvement District (BID) covering the city centre area.

The five-year scheme, which has already been successfully introduced in Great Yarmouth and Ipswich, where businesses have overwhelmingly supported its extension for a further term, seeks to give businesses control of initiatives to help improve the city.

The Norwich BID, which if successful will see the creation of a company and board to run it, aims to raise £3m through an annual 1pc levy on the rateable value of business premises over £15,000 within the BID area.

Proposals in the Norwich BID include:

a marketing campaign for the city and the creation of an ‘app’ to promote the area;

setting up a network of ‘city hosts’ to welcome visitors and direct people;

a business-led scheme to develop new methods of collecting and recycling waste

But progressing the Norwich plan will hinge on gaining the support of more than half of the city’s businesses in a ballot set to get underway on Monday and which runs until 5pm on July 30.

And with the economy still faltering and many firms keen to keep costs down, supporters realise they still have a job to do to win a majority.

Peter Mitchell, managing director of Jarrold, and chairman of the BID steering group, issued a direct appeal to firms to make their views known.

“Your support, your ‘yes’ vote, your involvement in the initiatives and your say in how the Norwich BID programme evolves will turn the excitement of the opportunity into a reality for Norwich. Please support the BID with a Yes vote in July.”

Mr Mitchell said a successful bid would help businesses of all sizes.

Any business who would like information on Norwich BID or a copy of the Norwich BID Business Plan can find all the information online at www.norwichbid.co.uk or can call Stefan Gurney on 01603 212744, or email info@norwichbid.co.uk