Plans revealed for a new Morley town '˜masterplan'

Plans are now underway to create a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Morley area.

Organisers behind the BID proposals say it will help boost the town’s economy, image and potential for customers.

A steering group has now been set up to run a series of consultations with more than 450 businesses in Morley as part of the plans.

A BID will not replace statutory services provided by Leeds City Council, but enhance schemes by increasing street cleaning, town centre security and improving facilities for pedestrians.

It comes after Leeds has successfully created its own BID for the city centre.

Rachael Kennedy, Morley’s town centre manager, said: “It is important to get across that any BID is business-led, no red tape and no local authority involvement.

“Businesses shape the business plan and the money gets spent on delivery exactly what businesses want.

“A BID is a proven way for businesses to help themselves collectively.

“It offers significant cost savings and growth opportunities to all businesses within its boundary.

“Retailers, market traders, cafes and pubs and bars, together with financial, legal and other service providers will all be coming together with a common goal and that is to make Morley the place to do good business.”

The current Morley BID steering group includes the chairman Steve Jones, Ms Kennedy, Deborah Ackroyd, Ian Swain, Nick Battye and Andy Reynolds.

Ms Kennedy said she understands that both Bradford and Brighouse are now developing their own BID-style plans for their town and city centres.