HASLEMERE businesses battling to beat the ‘High Street Crisis’ have teamed up to apply for central funding worth around £60,000 a year for town centre improvements.

The transformation project headed by Haslemere Chamber of Commerce depends upon the town being approved as a Business Improvement District (BID), which will unlock funds equivalent to one per cent of the annual business rates collected.

If Haslemere’s BID application succeeds, the “wish list” includes new toilet facilities in Wey Hill, more business sponsored public festivities, an enhanced Christmas lights display, better signage and street furniture, and the appointment of a town centre manager to attract more footfall.

Haslemere currently bucks the national downward trend, with a shop occupancy rate a third higher than the UK average and a quick turn around when retail outlets close.

The chamber’s BID steering committee is headed by the president Craig McGowan of Corporate Solutions and represents Wey Hill and High Street traders, comprising Ben Govier of Dylan’s Ice Cream, Emilie Crease of May and Grace bridal boutique, Melissa King of Marley Flowers, Peter Jones of Sports Locker, and David Gray of Amazing Grace.

Every business will benefit from town centre improvements designed to increase footfall if the BID application succeeds, which is due to be submitted next February.

But each one will foot an additional one per cent in its business rates to get the cash back.

Businesses will not be required to contribute if their rateable value is less than £500, there will be a cap of £10,000 on the charge for bigger retail outlets, such as supermarkets, and charity shops are not exempt.

Farnham, Godalming and Cranleigh are submitting their own BID applications next February and Waverley Borough Council funded initial consultancy charges to get all the schemes up and running. If the four town centres are successful, they could share the administration costs to increase the funds available to each of them.

Mr McGowan said: “Town businesses are really positive about this.

“We have to up our game. Down the line, a new town in Bordon could be a big magnet – Haslemere needs to improve its facilities.

“Hopefully we will light the blue touch paper and see it all happen.”