Efforts to promote the strength of the St Albans economy and attract visitors to the city have been put in place.
At a meeting last night, cabinet heard that St Albans District Council plans to set up a "City Centre Partnership", along with the civic society and local businesses.
These plans will include the appointment of a City Centre Manager, who will support growth of retail economy.
According to the Local Data Company, the city centres retail vacancy rate was 7.6 per cent, compared to 13.9 per cent nationally, in December last year.
The percentage of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in the district was 1.2 per cent in January, compared to 3.5 per cent nationally.
There also plans to attract and promote environmental research, engineering and green technology businesses through the newly-established Green Triangle.
Key partners in this project include the Building Research Establishment, the University of Hertfordshire and Rothamsted Research.
The council will also be working with district law, accountancy, chartered surveying and consultancy firms to develop a St Albans professional services marketing plan.
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