Attempts to create a business improvement district (BID) for Helston could fail in 2016 and the town's Christmas events could also end, according to the body set up drive town centre footfall.

The Helston Business Improvement Partnership (HBIP) which has been investigating the possibility of a BID since April, has warned funds are running out and there is no "appetite" for a BID among big businesses.

HBIP development officer Shirley Moralee said the organisation would submit a formal funding proposal to Helston Town Council as it comes to the end of the £191,650 which it was granted from the town following the development of the Tesco and Sainsbury's out of town supermarkets.

It had been hoped that a BID, examples of which currently exist in eight towns across Cornwall, would be able to take over from HBIP, but that plan stalled as the majority of businesses failed to back the scheme.

Mrs Moralee told a meeting of the town council: "HBIP have concluded that whilst there is private sector interest from some businesses to develop a BID, particularly from smaller enterprises based in the centre of town, theere is not sufficient business appetite or drive from enough businesses to forge ahead at the current time. In line with the ethos of BIDs which is 'business led for business benefit', HBIP would not wish to use up valuable resources and private sector energy on developing a scheme that is not welcomed by the majority.

"It is regrettable that this is the conclusion to the BID feasibility work especially since a BID would have provided sustainable funding from 2016 for five years. Currently, many of the events that Helston has enjoyed including the forthcoming Christmas celebrations will be under threat from 2016 onwards given the little funding remaining. HBIP will monitor the mood of the town and if an appetite and drive for a BID becomes apparent in the near future, the situation can be reconsidered."

She also told councillors: "

Councillor John Martin said the council should try and continue some of the work that HBIP had been involved with, and the mayor, Councillor Mike Thomas, said the council could look for people with lots of new ideas, which would be a start.

Mrs Moralee replied that she had the people, what was needed was funding.

Mr Thomas said: "We're the only town in Cornwall that doesn't currently have a BID officer. That's something that should happen."

He also thanked Mrs Moralee and her team for all the work they have done, saying: "It's been an amazing amount of work."

The partnership is preparing a proposal to put to the town council at next month's meeting.