FREE wi-fi, electronic signs for parking spaces and a 24-hour opening for the multi-storey car park are among £800,000 plans to be presented by Abingdon business leaders this afternoon.

The Abingdon Business Improvement District (BID) will be launched at the Crown and Thistle pub, where the team behind the proposals will outline the benefits it could bring.

Abingdon BID Steering Group chairman Mike Hurley, owner of Dream Doors in Stert Street, said the initiative would bring hundreds of thousands of pounds of town centre improvements.

He added: “A BID would create a stronger voice for businesses in Abingdon, representing 300-plus local businesses which will have enormous influence and lobbying powers as proven elsewhere. If successful, the Abingdon BID will deliver up to £800,000 investment into the town centre over the next five years.”

Under the initiative, the first of its kind in Oxfordshire but one of 210 across the country, businesses pay a levy towards a five-year business plan which funds projects to increase footfall, raise sales turnover and improve the area’s profile.

Plans outlined for Abingdon include installing free town centre wi-fi, creating a town marketing strategy, organising events to boost footfall and improving parking by having electronic space signs and directions, and lobbying to open the multi-storey car park 24 hours a day.

All businesses within a set area would pay 1.75 per cent of their annual rateable value into a ring-fenced fund, up to a maximum of £5,000, which the BID team estimate would cost half of Abingdon businesses £250 or less a year.

Newbury Building Society branch manager Paul Holt, vice-chairman of the steering group, said: “I’m so passionate about a BID for Abingdon town centre and the difference it could deliver – from increased footfall to boosted turnover and profits.

“When you consider that for most businesses it will cost less than the price of a chocolate bar a day, yet will deliver almost £800,000 of improvements in the town, I think it’s a fantastic investment.”

The Abingdon BID has been drawn up by a team of traders representing more than 20 businesses in the town centre.

The meeting will begin at the Bridge Street pub with refreshments at 5.30pm, and the BID projects will be outlined from 6.30pm, followed by a questions and answers.

For details, call Michelle Baker on 07527 016338 or email michelle@abingdon.bid