Falmouth is to receive a cash injection of at least £600,000 over the next five years after the town’s Business Improvement District was voted back in with a huge majority of local traders backing the |initiative.

In one of the strongest results seen in the country, and the most emphatic of any BID in Cornwall, 87 per cent of voting businesses have given their support to the scheme, which can now look forward to a second, five year term.

The Falmouth BID, a not-for-profit company, was established over four years ago and has already delivered a raft of innovative projects, including new visitor signage, festivals and events, national PR campaigns and a dedicated town website.

Its success and the support it receives from traders is evident following the renewal ballot which saw almost 60 per cent of town businesses, including national chains, independent shops, professional services, marine-related businesses, cafes, pubs, restaurants and guest houses, cast their vote.

For any BID ballot to be successful, there needs to be a majority of |businesses in favour, both in terms of number of votes cast and by rateable value. In Falmouth, the percentage of yes votes by number was 87 and by rateable value it was 86.

Richard Wilcox, Falmouth BID |manager, said: “I’m extremely pleased at such a positive response from the town. It’s great that Falmouth has so many proactive businesses that |understand the need to pull together and work as a team to further enhance our promotional efforts, public realm, events and festivals and lots more besides.

“Despite the most challenging of economic climates, a strong |partnership between the BID and town management has developed to provide a proactive and innovative resource. The yes vote means that a minimum of £600,000 can be allocated to even more creative projects over the next five years, a result of businesses coming together for the common good.”

Town manager, Richard Gates, said: “It is fantastic news that Falmouth BID has achieved a yes vote and in such a comprehensive manner. It clearly shows that the vast majority of businesses realise the positive impact this is having for the town.

“I would like to congratulate the BID board and particularly Richard Wilcox for the hard work that has taken place. The effective partnership working between Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth BID will continue to develop over the next five year term, striving to deliver even more effective projects for the town.”

Falmouth’s mayor, Geoffrey Evans, added: “This is excellent news for the town and I’m delighted that the work of the BID and the Falmouth town team has been endorsed in such an emphatic manner.

“In the current climate of austerity, the initiatives, many of which are being delivered in partnership, have been very successful and ensure that our community’s needs are met.”

MP Sarah Newton said: “The Falmouth BID is a great example of business localism in action, with Falmouth’s business community coming together to invest in the town’s future.

“I have been pleased to work closely with Richard Wilcox and his team over the past three years, including making joint representations to Mary Portas’ High Street Review, and I look forward to continuing this work into the future. Falmouth is a very special place to run a business from and I will continue working with Richard and local businesses to ensure that the town’s future is a thriving one.’’