Traders have voted in favour of funding a major investment programme to improve Sutton town centre.

In a ballot that concluded yesterday, businesses approved the Sutton BID, a business led initiative to help the town centre by encouraging people to cone there to shop and invest in new businesses.

It will see businesses provide funding as a share of their rateable value to raise up to £2m in the next five years.

The 10-point plan drawn up to back the scheme pledged a range of initiatives to attract trade to the area and create a more pleasant environment for shoppers and workers to spend time and money.

The points included raising the town’s profile, driving footfall, boosting security, improving the environment and attracting funding.

Pilot projects already completed include putting up hanging baskets to complement the green wall, deep cleaning litter hot spots, installing footfall cameras and hosting a Dr Bike event providing on-the-spot maintenance to encourage people to make more use of their bicycles.

Voting began in June and the final ballots in a 40 per cent turnout were counted yesterday. In total, 189 businesses voted and, of those, 127 voted in favour.

Prominent town centre traders such as Sharon Golding of the St Nicholas Centre and Yvonne Mackey of Times Square were enthusiastic backers.

Businesses within the BID area with a rateable value over £10,000 will now be asked to pay a levy of one per cent of their rateable value to fund the improvements.

Deputy Leader of Sutton Council, Councillor Colin Hall, said: "I am delighted that town centre businesses have embraced the BID.

"By pulling together we can achieve the improvements we all want to see and ensure that our town centre continues to be the thriving, prosperous centre of the community it has been."

"This is a great day for the town centre and a great day for Sutton."

Neighbouring towns in Wimbledon, Croydon and Kingston have already started BID projects.