KEIGHLEY businesses leading a scheme designed to revitalise the centre of the town are celebrating the announcement of a successful ballot which means the proposals will go ahead.

The Business Improvement District (BID) initiative is expected to generate a total income of £1.4 million over five years.

The ballot on whether to go ahead with a BID in Keighley had a 78.6 per cent in favour vote.

Graham Benn, of Cavendish Street's DIY Solutions and chairman of the Keighleybid steering group, said: “We are all very excited as this represents the biggest opportunity for the town centre in a decade.

"The news means that, for the five-year life of the BID, there will be a reliable source of revenue income to boost footfall and aid businesses in the town.

"There are opportunities to get involved in the direction and delivery of the BID.

"It’s up to Keighley businesses to get the most from this result, and we would love to hear from businesses that want to work with us."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's representative on the Keighleybid steering group, said: “The council provided the money to support the Keighley Town Centre Association to do the ground work and explore the appetite for a BID in Keighley.

"It is heartening to see Keighley-based businesses backing themselves and the town.”

The BID will begin in January next year. A new company called Keighleybid Limited will be responsible for implementing the BID plans.

Invoices will be issued in December to those businesses liable to pay the 1.5 per cent levy required to fund the scheme.

Businesses will be contacted shortly to confirm details of the development and delivery of the improvement projects that they want to see happen.

Such improvements for the centre of the town would be designed to attract more visitors and investment by focusing on areas such as marketing, safety and security, accessibility and business support.