THE North-west Development Agency held a seminar to discuss the introduction of Business Improvement Districts in the region.
This is a successful regeneration idea which contributes to the economic development of business communities in the United States.
They are partnership boards which combine local authority and business members in a defined industrial or retail area.
Business and property owners negotiate a contribution rate and if there is majority support all the businesses in the area must contribute.
Cash is given to a Partnership Board which determines how it should be spent.
Legislation is not yet in place to allow this to be done in England, but the NWDA is encouraging a number of partnerships to prepare for it.
Pilot schemes are being developed in selected areas of Chester, Stockport, Oldham, Southport and Liverpool.
Mr Baron Isherwood, Director of Regeneration at the NWDA, said: "Business Improvement Districts have been widely practised in the USA and may contribute to the improvement of sustainable economic performance in the North-west."
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