SUPPORT for Otley BID was voiced by local councillors this week.

The Business Improvement District, which launched in 2014 after a ballot of town centre traders, is hoping to secure a mandate to continue for another five years.

That will be decided later this year after another vote.

Otley Town Council agreed to continue to support the organisation when its Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday, September 17.

A resolution to formalise that support was also supported by everyone present except Councillor Nigel Francis (Ind, Danefield).

Cllr Francis, who abstained, claimed that the BID favoured certain businesses and didn’t benefit all.

Cllr Georgeson, however, insisted it was part of a successful wider strategy. He said: “The momentum generated by the efforts of the BID and the town council, Otley Town Partnership and so on...is raising our national and regional profile.”