BUSINESSES are being asked to vote on whether to pool funds to help boost the town centre economy in Banbury.

Cherwell District Council will send out the ballot papers from Tuesday for businesses to cast their vote on the proposed 'Business Improvement District'.

It comes after a request from businesses to be able to club together to better the town centre in 2015.

Cherwell District Council lead member for estates and the economy Lynn Pratt said: “Business Improvement Districts work really well in many other parts of the country, and I think the scheme has the potential to see town centre trading really go up a gear.

"It’s our job to listen to the voice of local businesses, and they overwhelmingly back these proposals.

"So we’ve been hard at work helping develop a business plan for the BID, which would be run as an independent company with our support."

The business plan includes creating targeted promotions to boost footfall, hosting major town events, backing pop-up initiatives and encouraging business to business trade.

The ballot day will be held on November 14 and the results announced on November 15.

If the vote is a 'yes' it will start in April 2018 for five years.