A PROPOSAL to create a Business Improvement District in Abergavenny has been rejected by traders.

A business plan and a ballot paper were distributed to businesses in June who were asked to vote on the proposal.

Abergavenny BID set out a five-year plan of action that would raise more than over £1.2million to deliver priorities for improving the town.

The plan would have been funded by a levy on each business property, based on a banding, to raise £249,600 a year that would be used exclusively for improving businesses in the town.

Businesses and consultants working for The Mosaic Partnership spent six months preparing the plan that was distributed to traders around the town.

Sixty per cent of those who voted rejected the proposal, which would have been the first in Monmouthshire.

A total of 237 votes were cast in the town ballot, with 143 voting against and 94 voting in favour of the proposal. Eight ballot papers were spoilt. Fifty-one percent of votes were needed in support of the proposal to go ahead.

John Bannon, Chairman of the BID steering board, who owns Jaybee Furnishings, described the outcome as a missed opportunity.

He said: “It was a real opportunity for the town. I was disappointed that the vote went against it. I saw it as a perfect opportunity to set in place a structure to maximise the benefits of the Eisteddfod, to market the town and have a united business voice to improve the town.”

“Unfortunately, others saw it as an extra cost but I respect the judgement that has beenwas made.”

There are already more than 180 BIDS around the UK. There are nine Welsh towns going through BID discussions, including Abergavenny and there are already BIDS running in Newport, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea.

Others running with a similar proportion to Abergavenny include Chippenham, Shrewsbury and Salisbury.