Sutton Coldfield businesses have given a resounding yes to the renewal of the town centre’s Business Improvement District.

The Town Centre BID has been backed for five more years after more than two thirds of businesses supported its renewal.

Just over 60 per cent of businesses by rateable value who voted also said yes to the levy.

Firms in the BID area will pay an initial 1.25 per cent of their rateable value for 15 months, rising to 1.53 per cent after the initial period for the remainder of the five years.

That money is then pooled and spent on things like events in the town, deep cleans, fast fibre broadband, a town centre loyalty scheme, a what’s on guide and marketing.

Only businesses with a rateable value of £7,500 or more are required to contribute.

Sutton’s BID, which has been around for 10 years, and will now continue until the end of 2026, will spend the money in three key areas - boosting the town’s profile, raising its safety and security and on business growth and investment.

It followed ‘several months of planning, in-depth interviews, surveys and a month-long ballot’ where hundreds of businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals.

Angela Henderson (pictured), manager of the Gracechurch Shopping Centre and chair of the BID, said: “This is fantastic news for Sutton Coldfield town centre and a huge congratulations must go to all the businesses which rallied and joined forces to ensure we secured a yes vote in our renewal ballot.

“Thanks must go to all those businesses that engaged in the process by sharing their ideas and opinions on how we can work together to improve the area and who, ultimately, voted in favour of the plans to support each other in these challenging and uncertain times.

“The renewal takes us into the BID’s third term and we can now build on the work already and take its next term into the future at an exciting time for the town alongside Sutton Coldfield’s Town Council’s Masterplan.

“The money will now be spent through the three key strategic objectives and their related activities.”

Phil Arkinstall, president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, said: "It’s great news that the BID has been renewed and well done to the BID renewal team for their hard work.

"Having the BID will help Royal Sutton Coldfield to continue push forward with the ultimate goal of improving the town centre to an area of business and commerce we can all be proud to be a part of."