Plans to create a Business Improvement District (BID) in Bracknell have moved one step closer to reality.

The proposal, which has taken two years to develop, could provide “significant support” to businesses in the area if it gets the green light.

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BIDs are made up of individual rate-paying businesses which contribute ideas to transform their area.

These ideas are then voted on by all BID members and if agreed, funds are ring-fenced to provide improvements to infrastructure and invest in the area.

Supporters of the scheme – which was set up by the Bracknell Investment Group (BIG) – include Fujitsu, Bracknell Forest Council (BFC), 3M, Panasonic and many more.

Maria Sabey, Head of Property at Fujitsu and Chair of the BIG, said: “I am proud to have been working over the last two years with a group of business representatives from across the Bracknell Southern and Western Districts.

“We have been working hard to make sure we really understand how the things which attracted businesses to Bracknell in the first place have stood the test of time and whether we are really prepared for the future.”

Businesses around Bracknell Forest are invited to get involved with further consultations in the coming days and weeks.

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Tomorrow two networking events will take place – the first of which gets underway at Panasonic Maxis 2, Western Road, Bracknell, RG12 1RT and runs from 11.30am – 2.30pm.

A question and answer session and a presentation on the plans will follow at the second event of the day, held at Fujitsu, Lovelace Lane, Bracknell, RG12 8SN between 5-7pm.

Following the launch of the BID proposal, ballot papers will be sent out to all potentially interested businesses to be returned no later than Thursday, October 31.

The results of the ballot will determine whether the area becomes a BID in April 2020.

Speaking at a BFC meeting last week, councillor Marc Brunel-Walker added: “This is a particularly good piece of news for the businesses of Bracknell.

“We are protecting smaller businesses with a lower rateable value – those below 12,000 in value won’t have to pay.

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“This will generate somewhere around £600,000 – £700,000 of income, which is going to be spent on the southern industrial areas.”