The creation of a Business Improvement District in Stourbridge will improve trade and footfall in the town and bring more jobs, a council boss has said.

Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the council, said it would be a “huge boost” for the town. It comes after it was revealed 77% of votes cast by town centre business bosses in a ballot were in favour of the creation of a BID in the town.

The vote secures around £835,000 to be spent on supporting businesses and improving the town centre over a five-year period, with the BID due to start on April 1 next year.

Councillor Bradley said: “As a council we have seen the huge difference the creation of a BID can make to a town in Halesowen.

“For that reason we were more than happy to back a similar BID in Stourbridge, and I am delighted that the great majority of traders have voted in favour to make it a reality.

“It is an exciting opportunity for business bosses to have an influence on making positive improvements to their towns. I think it will be a huge boost for Stourbridge, an opportunity to drive more trade and footfall to the town and create new jobs.”

A company will now be formed to deliver the objectives of the BID over the next five years.

The BID development work was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For more information and to view the new BID business plan, go to stourbridgebid.com.