More than 500 businesses will vote on whether to create a new scheme to promote St Albans city centre.

Ballot papers will be sent to 530 St Albans businesses, on October 12, asking whether they want a Business Improvement District (BID) to be set up.

The poll will close on November 10 and the result will be declared the following day by Michael Lovelady, St Albans District Council’s head of legal services.

For the BID to be successful, a straight majority is needed, as well as a majority based on the amount of business rates they pay.

A BID would run for five years at which point another vote would be needed.

The question on the ballot paper is: “Are you in favour of the Business Improvement District proposals?”

The designated BID area includes St Peter’s Street, the High Street, Chequer Street and Holywell Hill, as well as other roads in the central part of the City.

It also takes in two shopping centres - The Maltings and Christopher Place - along with the Cathedral and the Council’s offices.

Among the businesses involved are shops, estate agents, law firms, cafes, restaurants, pubs, hairdressers and hotels.

St Albans City Centre Partnership (CCP) launched its campaign to create a BID earlier this year.

The Partnership is a community interest company which has a legal duty to use its profits and assets for the public good.

A BID is a defined area in which the businesses have agreed to a levy that will be used to improve and add services.

Under the BID plan for St Albans, businesses in the area will pay a levy of a proposed 1.8% of their rateable value. Those with rateable values of less than £10,000 will be exempt.

Around £500,000 will be raised and the CCP has identified several projects for BID spending.

The BID would start in spring next year and be run by a chair and a board of directors, supported by a small full-time staff.