A BUSINESS Improvement District (BID) could be established in Crewe to provide a boost to the town centre.

Crewe Town Council is overseeing a feasibility study to see if such a scheme - which could provide events, information, activities and public realm improvements funded by local businesses - is viable.

A BID is a way of focusing projects that reflects the priorities of businesses within its zone.

The Groundwork charity is being commissioned to undertake the research. It has past experience of working on BIDs in Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside.

Other places near to Crewe with BIDs include Northwich and Chester.

They are funded by the businesses in the district and reflect the priorities of the businesses.

Chair of Crewe Town Council's operations and improvements committee Cllr Jamie Messent said: "The work is initial research to provide the necessary information to evidence if a BID is viable in Crewe Town Centre.

"We want to find out if there is any value in considering a BID for Crewe or not.

"We are also working with the Chamber of Commerce at this early stage as a BID is very much a reflection of local businesses and we want to ensure that we stay closely connected to them through this process.

"It's important that we remember that this is just the feasibility work as we don't know if a BID is viable at this point, but this is the right time to look in to all possibilities for the town centre, just prior the regeneration work coming forward.

"If a BID is viable it will add significant value to the experience of residents and visitors to the town centre and will also be led by the businesses serving the town centre."

Groundwork will contact town centre businesses, stakeholders and partners in the coming weeks as well as carry out statistical research.