THE directors of Barrow's Business Improvement District (BID) have been chosen.

Eleven business representatives have been elected to sit on the board of the new organisation, which aims to boost the fortunes of the town centre.

They are planning an autumn parking promotion to launch the BID.

The directors include Simon Craig, manager of Marks & Spencer in Dalton Road.

He said: “It is brilliant to have been chosen and it is great that I am getting the opportunity to steer the BID forward – I have been involved since its inception and I really have learned about a lot.

“Now we have got to make sure we spend the not insubstantial sum of money well.”

BIDs are funded by a levy on business rates.

They can be set up only if a majority of businesses, and a majority by rateable value, support the idea.

Barrow businesses endorsed the proposal by a hefty majority in a ballot in April. Of the 213 votes cast, 165, or 77.5 percent, voted in favour, and they represented 73 per cent by rateable value.

The decision means that town centre businesses with a rateable value of more than £4,000 will pay a 1.5 per cent levy, which will raise £800,000 over five years.

The BID hopes to launch with a parking promotion in September.

Details have yet to be finalised but could be a “free after 3pm” deal, with the BID making up the lost revue to Barrow Council.

The BID in Ulverston has underwritten a similar initiative, allowing shoppers and visitors to park all day on Saturdays for £1.20 during the summer.

Mr Craig added: “One of the biggest issues in Barrow is parking and we believe we will get some deals.”

The positions that each BID director will hold will be decided at the group's first meeting next week.

Those appointed represent different business sectors – large retail, small retail, hospitality and food and drink, charitable and community, and health and personal care.

One, Bill Johnston of CN Group, publisher of the Evening Mail, has been appointed in the 'other' category.

Two seats on the board remain vacant after they received no nominations – both are for people in the professional and financial services sector.

Another is available for a local authority member and Mr Craig said he had written to the chief executive of Barrow Council about this.

He added: “Both the borough council and Cumbria County Council have been very supportive.”

Barrow BID directors: Jeff Dandy, Dandy's, large retail; Simon Craig, Marks & Spencer, large retail; Paula Moore, Debenhams, large retail; Thomas Burrow, Burrows, small retail; Sandra Collings, Cumbria Sewing & Craft Centre, small retail; Philip Heath, Heaths, small retail; Bill Johnston, CN Group, other; Owain Miln, Daddy’s Catering, hospitality, food and drink; Stephen Metcalfe, The Drawing Room, hospitality, food and drink; Rob Dunphy, Sonic Zoo Industries, charitable and community; Jonathan Hartley, Murray’s Pharmay, health and personal care.