David Ruffley MP has today welcomed the news that Bury St Edmunds businesses have voted to introduce a Business Improvement District (BID) covering the town centre.

There was a 32 percent turnout and of those who voted 59 percent supported the introduction of the BID, while 67 percent of the total rateable value of those voting also supported its introduction- a threshold of 50percent had to be passed by both measures for the BID to be introduced.

The BID company will collect in the region of £400,000 annually from business rates in the area to reinvest in the town centre on schemes such as town rangers, marketing, training and additional street cleaning.

David said:

'This is great news for Bury St Edmunds. Our town is home to some of the finest independent businesses in the country and they now have the mandate, and moreover the budget, to deliver massive improvements to Bury's town centre. It really is businesses in control of business.

'This is a fantastic opportunity for our town centre to continue to excel and set itself apart as the destination of choice in East Anglia.

'However, I will be keeping a watchful eye to ensure that the BID company delivers on the pledges made in its manifesto and, most importantly, delivers true value for money to businesses in the town.'