Traders reject business collaboration scheme

The majority of firms in Bridgnorth who voted rejected the plan

The majority of businesses in a Shropshire town have rejected a scheme which those behind it claim would help them to work more closely together.

The team behind the Bridgnorth Business Improvement District (BID) plan said it could raise £1m for town within five years.

But, during a month-long ballot which closed on Thursday, 67 traders within the proposed BID area opted against the plan, with 39 in favour.

Some businesses previously told the BBC they did not want to pay into such a scheme during a cost-of-living crisis and that they felt it duplicated council responsibilities.

The scheme would have involved traders contributing 2% of their rateable value annually.

Proponents argued the BID would make the town safer and offer access to funding.