A CAMPAIGN to secure the future of the Halesowen BID for a further five years has been launched.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris joined businesses from across the town gathered in Somers Square on Friday (April 1) to officially launch the three-month campaign encouraging businesses to vote yes in continuing the work of the Halesowen Business Improvement District (BID).

The BID’s vision for the future will focus on three key areas of the town’s future - support for the local economy and its businesses, the local environment and visitor experience.

High on the BID’s agenda for its second term is to obtain further investment for Halesowen; having already secured over £180,000 in additional funding during their first term.

Footfall will also remain as one of the key objectives after Halesowen was listed as having the greatest footfall recovery rate in the UK in June 2021.

Vicky Rogers, BID Manager said "We’re thrilled with the huge amount of support we’ve received from the businesses across the town.

"Our passion for the future of Halesowen is stronger than ever and we are confident that our plan for a second term will help drive Halesowen’s growth over the next five years."

Business Improvement Districts are created through a ballot process to deliver additional services to local businesses.

Each business across the BID area has to pay a 1.25 per cent levy towards BID work, which aims to attract interest and investment to the town.