A PLAN to boost businesses’ success in Abergavenny is gathering pace and further proposals are likely to be moved forward next year.

Last month the town received a share of £203,000 from the Welsh Government to support its plan for a Business Improvement District (BIDs) across Wales. The project has received backing from both Monmouthshire county council and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

BIDs seeks to bring business and townspeople in an area to develop project and activities to boost the town’s economy and all Welsh local authorities were asked to investigate how one in their authority could make a difference.

A Monmouthshire council spokeswoman said: “The team that is supporting the BID will be engaging with businesses and stakeholders in the coming weeks to understand what they think would add the most value to Abergavenny.”

And the sustainable tourism manager at the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Richard Tyler, said: “The National Park Authority has been pleased to support the BID development project through its Rural Alliances Interreg project. The project supports businesses and communities coming together to achieve joint objectives and the BID will provide the long term funding necessary for Abergavenny to achieve its vision.”

Funding provided has been used to appoint consultants, such as Chris Davies, who will help local businesses develop a proposal and see it through to completion.

Mr Davies said so far between 400 and 500 businesses have been consulted on what they would like to see in the town.

It is hoped a formal vote will take place next June to decide what is included in the BID. At least 51 per cent of Abergavenny business involved with the BID will need to vote in favour of it for it to be accepted.

A proposal for a BID in Newport is underway. Other places in Wales which received money from the Welsh Government for their BID were: Bridgend, Caernarfon and Bangor, Llanelli, Pontypridd, Neath, Aberystwyth, Pant and Merthyr Tydfil Industrial Estates and Colwyn Bay.

There are already two BIDs in Swansea and Merthyr Tydfil.