WITH voting underway to create a Business Improvement District for Christchurch the area’s unitary council has thrown its weight behind the project.

A vote had been expected amongst the town’s business community earlier in the year to create its first BID but was delayed by Covid restrictions.

BCP’s Cabinet voted unanimously on Wednesday to support the BID as a potential member and will also be running the ballot, which continues until the end of September.

Deputy BCP Council leader Philip Broadhead said the authority had been part of the steering group preparing for the ballot.

“The BIDs across the area have been a tremendous asset… all of them have done an excellent job in adding extra value,” he said.

The deputy leader said that with high streets facing a period of extensive change the business organisations were needed more than ever to help steer local communities through it.