WARRINGTON businesses have appointed not-for-profit environmental trust Groundwork to deliver plans as part of the town's £1.8 million investment project.

In total, 98 organisations voted in favour of having a five-year Business Improvement District (BID) for the area in March, which will allow companies to undertake activities, projects and services to make the town 'more economically vibrant'.

The BID project is set to create an additional £1.8 million of investment in the town centre, which will be used to deliver a number of key aims including, a better marketed town centre that generates increased footfall, a safer and more secure town centre and a cleaner and greener town, 'with enhanced support for local businesses to prosper and grow'.

Groundwork's appointment follows an open and independently managed tender process conducted during June and July.

Chair of the Warrington BID steering group, Dawn Smyth, said: “The BID will create a close working partnership with companies and important stakeholders, including Warrington Borough Council, bringing a new vitality to our town centre.

"Warrington town centre has faced a range of challenges in recent years, but we believe that with Groundwork leading the delivery of the Warrington BID, we will be able to turn around the fortunes of the town centre over the coming years.”

Greville Kelly, Groundwork’s director of business, said: “We are really excited to have this opportunity to work with Warrington town centre businesses and to help realise the aims and objectives of the BID. The challenges faced by high streets are well documented. However, we believe that the delivery of the BID, combined with wider capital investments from the private and public sector will create an exciting future for Warrington town centre to look forward to.”

Warrington joins more than 200 other city and town centres across the UK who have chosen to implement successful BIDs since 2005, including Liverpool, Altrincham and Manchester.

Initial priorities for the Groundwork's Warrington BID team will include setting up the BID board, delivering new investment for Christmas this year and new planning work to enhance safety and security across the town centre.