Businesses, both large and small, have voted yes to a second five year term of investment in Kingston town centre.
The vote was vital for the continuation of the businesses improvement district (BID) which runs the town centre under the management of Kingstonfirst.
The results were announced this morning by the Electoral Reform Services at with a total of 374 votes (40 percent of the total turnout) and 263 yes votes.
Kingstonfirst said it would be prioritising making Kingston a memorable place to visit, promoting open-air markets and events, and making use of the riverside.
Town centre manager Graham McNally said: "The YES vote shows that Kingston’s businesses recognise the hard work our team and board have put in over the last five years, and the sterling results they’ve achieved bringing growth to the town centre".
Tony Wheeler, managing director John Lewis Kingston and chairman of Kingston Town Centre Management said: "We are delighted that the hard fought BID2 campaign has received a positive vote.
"Having been involved in the inception of the BID, I'm excited to be a part of the team as it heads into its second phase.
"BID2 will enable Kingstonfirst to continue their great work in achieving economic growth for Kingston."
Kingston was the first BID to be established in the UK and is funded by a 1 percent levy on business rates.
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