This week the plan for Falkirk's Business Improvement District (BID) and a ballot asking owners to vote for or against the proposal was sent out to all town centre companies.

If passed, the initiative will drive forward improvements in the High Street area and will involve schemes such as chewing gum removal, a child safety programme, partnership marketing and the continuation of the recently introduced taxi marshall project.

Falkirk firms will be charged a levy of one per cent on to their business rates to fund the initiative.

Town centre manager Alastair Mitchell said: "We are now in the final stage and need to inform people that this is a great thing for Falkirk.

"It is hoped all business managers and owners will read through the plan and then make their vote on the ballot. We want to encourage businesses to get on board.

"This scheme will bring businesses together and give them ownership of the services which will be developed."

Falkirk is one of six pilots in Scotland to receive funding from the Scottish Government over a two-year period to deliver the BID.

BID coordinator Linda Worsfold said: "This scheme has worked very well in other parts of the country and I believe it will make vast improvements in Falkirk."

Mr Mitchell added: "We cannot let the town centre rest on its laurels, complacency is not an option."

The ballots must be return by 5 p.m. on May 8. If the plans are a success, work on the project will begin on June 2.

s.hart@falkirkherald.co.uk