Plans for a multi-million pound improvement plan for Sutton town centre funded by businesses has been relaunched.

Business leaders want to create a Business Improvement District (BID) to increase visitors to the town centre, making it a more attractive place to live, work and shop.

BIDs work by placing a one per cent levy on business rates for enterprises within a set area.

This money is then pooled to fund the improvements businesses want to see.

A first Sutton BID - which included plans for a radio system linking businesses, more police and street cleaning, better marketing and improved late-night shopping - was rejected in March this year after a secret ballot of 151 businesses.

The BID failed because a number of major chain stores operating in the area, that proportionally represented a large amount of funding for the scheme, voted against it.

But business leaders - who have formed the Successful Sutton BID board - are hoping a second attempt at the BID will be successful.

David Guy, of WH Matthews and Co Solicitors and vice chair of the BID Shadow Board, said: “We fully support the BID, which will promote Sutton town centre and increase its attractiveness to businesses and shoppers. It will provide additional funding to improve the image and physical perspective of the town centre.

“I am particularly keen on the opportunity to link the various local businesses and community organisations together for the mutual benefit of the town.”

The proposed boundary for the BID would be from Brighton Road car park in the south to Blockbuster at the northern end of the High Street.

The board want to see a safer, cleaner and greener town centre that is better marketed.

It also wants improved business services, including reducing costs through collective purchasing.

The BID board -which has the backing of Sutton Council - is inviting suggestions for improvements, which will be put to the vote in June 2012.

BIDs have grown in popularity over recent years and are already operating successfully in neighbouring Kingston and Croydon.

To get involved email info@successfulsutton.co.uk