An ambitious plan to transform the fortunes of Barrow town centre is launched today.

Senior business figures from the town will this evening unveil an innovative scheme which will enable firms to take control of their future.

Barrow's business community is being asked to vote in support of a Business Improvement District - a private sector initiative which would see £800,000 ploughed into the town centre over a five year period.

Phil Collier, local businessman and chairman of the BID, said: "A walk around the town centre highlights the amount of empty shops we've got and highlights a need to bring an element of pride back into the town centre.

"We will be doing all we can to get local business to vote yes for a BID in Barrow. This is a fantastic opportunity to make our town centre special."

If voted in, more than 450 business premises within the confines of Abbey Road, Duke Street, Greengate Street and Rawlinson Street will be asked to pay a small levy totalling 1.5 per cent of their rateable value - the cash they pay to operate based on the size of their building.

That will raise a collective £800,000 over a five year period, starting from September, which will be used to deliver key aims and objectives.

These aims have been identified from common concerns expressed by business owners and will be realised through a number of projects that will be carried out over the next five years. 

Small and large businesses alike have already shown their support for the BID, including one of the nation's leading high street retailers, Marks and Spencer. 

Simon Craig, store manager of Marks and Spencer in Barrow and vice chairman of the BID, believes there has never been a better time to launch the initiative. 

He said: "We're trying to attract people into this town to work - not just in the week but all the time so they live here and bring their children up here. 

"The BID is going to give Barrow the town centre it deserves. Barrow deserves a good town centre but at the moment we don't really have one. 

"We have an opportunity with the BID to improve everything about it."

Businesses will receive their ballot papers on Thursday March 24 and will have 28 days to vote. 

As the final countdown to decision day begins, Mr Collier is urging businesses to take the future of their town into their own hands. 

He said: "We have seen from past elections how people fall flat on their faces as a result of a slightly apathetic feeling. 

"We need to galvanise everyone. We need everyone who agrees that this is what we need for the town to turn out and vote and vote yes. 

"I can't even begin to think about the next five years for Barrow town centre if the BID doesn't happen."