Totally Truro, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) is in the final nine months of the current five year term.

The Truro BID team have begun consulting city centre businesses to determine if there is an interest to proceed for a third five year term. The initial round of consultation comprised one-to-one meetings with 40 businesses and feedback suggested there was a clear willingness to continue with the BID with 86 per cent saying they would vote in favour of a third term.

These meetings offered a refreshed opportunity for businesses to give feedback on current BID activities and put forward new ideas for projects. The continuation for funding the annual Christmas lighting scheme, ongoing marketing activity and a focus on making the city safer were the priority for many.

David Rogers, of Santander Truro, said: “It is crucial for the Truro BID to continue for a third term in order to fund the city’s Christmas lights and associated events. The lights look amazing and are a draw to Truro. BID is a model that can generate sufficient funds to install, maintain and manage the lights on an annual basis.”

Other projects such as Truro Trend, the city’s annual fashion week; city centre signage and creating a more pleasant trading environment, also featured highly as a priority for businesses.

Sam Salvoni, owner at Plum fashion boutique in Nalders Court, who contributed to the initial round of consultations, said: “My business has benefited directly from BID projects like the Truro Trend fashion week. The marketing and PR campaign accompanying the event gives valuable exposure to my business and is a really helpful addition to our own marketing activities online and in-store while the weeklong event highlights Truro as the centre for fashion and retail in Cornwall.”

New project ideas included a Shop Local campaign, unified trading hours, management of open spaces, planting of trees in the centre, a sustainability agenda for Truro and focused marketing support for different business sectors.

The feedback and project ideas have now been formulated into a questionnaire, which will be issued to all 400 levy paying businesses in the BID area at the end of January. This questionnaire will be assisted by further meetings with businesses and the BID team to gain as much insight and feedback as possible.

Alun Jones, Totally Truro BID manager, said: “This is an opportunity for businesses to have their say on whether they would like the BID to continue, and if so, what projects matter the most to them.

“The BID is here solely to service the needs of the businesses. The future and scope of the projects delivered by the BID are entirely determined by the businesses themselves. A third term for Truro BID will mean greater opportunities for business growth in this great little city.”

Once the questionnaires have been returned, by February 20, the BID board will consider if there has been enough positive feedback to proceed to a full ballot and ask members to cast their vote for a third BID for Truro this June.

Simon Hendra, owner of Lemon Street Market, said: “Totally Truro has substantially contributed to the enhancement and development of the city centre in the past ten years, positioning it as the premier business and retail location within Cornwall.”

The Christmas lighting scheme, marketing and PR campaigns, award winning floral displays, programme of events and promotions, funding and support for key city centre initiatives would all cease if the BID does not continue.

As part of the renewal process and following feedback from city centre businesses, the BID board have decided to change the name of the BID from Totally Truro to Truro BID, in line with the seven other BIDs now active in Cornwall.

A refreshed logo and visuals have been designed to accompany the new name and will come into effect if the BID gains a successful "yes" vote this June. For more information about what projects Totally Truro has delivered to date visit enjoytruro.co.uk.