PLANS to shape the future of the town have taken a step forward with the launch of the new Stourbridge Business Improvement District.

A proposal and business plan for the BID was launched on Tuesday September 10 at Nickols & Perks wine merchants in Stourbridge.

Traders hope the initiative will help to improve the area and bring in additional investment.

A Business Improvement District (BID) is an area within which businesses have voted to invest collectively to improve their trading environment.

A not-for-profit company is set up and run by the businesses in the area and it is responsible for ensuring that the aims and objectives of the BID proposal are delivered.

To find out more visit https://ryemarketshoppingcentre.co.uk/stourbridgebid

Aaron Powell, chairperson of the Stourbridge BID steering group and centre manager at the Ryemarket Shopping Centre, said of the launch: “It was a really positive event where businesses and organisations in the town centre heard about the important role the BID will play in representing their interests and exciting plans for the future.”

Businesses heard from Tim Robbins, events manager at Nickolls and Perks, and Stu Eaves, assistant principal at King Edward VI College, plus Ian Ferguson, director of pfbb UK which has been supporting businesses in developing their BID proposal and business plan for 2025 to 2030.

Ian, a Government High Street Task Force expert, talked about the changes and challenges faced by town centres in recent years and the opportunities a BID presents to businesses in Stourbridge in helping to bring people together to create a great town centre.

The BID aims to promote Stourbridge and develop its reputation as an attractive, vibrant, historical, market town.

Its key priorities are to create a town centre which is welcoming, safe and attractive, and to support businesses in Stourbridge by encouraging people to work together to create a positive working environment.