DARWEN is to get a new body to boost its commercial, retail and night life modelled on Blackburn's Business Improvement District.

The drive to make the most of the town centre's shops, pubs, restaurants, companies and heritage could be paid for by a voluntary levy on firms.

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On Wednesday night a meeting decided to revive the near-defunct Darwen Town Centre Partnership Board with a new focus on businesses.

It will no longer be dominated by councillors but have a majority of members from commercial concerns.

The most controversial proposal put forward by Blackburn with Darwen borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley was paying for the new group from a voluntary levy on businesses in the central area.

The BID, which made a presentation on its activities, raises £309,000 a year from a compulsory council tax surcharge after a business referendum.

Any levy in Darwen would have to be voluntary as the town does not meet the legal requirements for a mandatory surcharge.

Yesterday's meeting elected Marsh House councillor John Roberts as chairman.

The body is backed by firms and business people including Herbert Parkinson, WEC, John Sturgess, Darwen Market rep Rona Brown and Carlo Ricioppo from the town's deli. (corr spellings) Cllr Riley said: “Unfortunately, associations like the Darwen Shop and Business Association have recently closed.

"We see the Partnership Board led by key members of the business community, as vital in playing a key role in driving their development agenda "The meeting heard a presentation from the Blackburn BID and discussed if lessons could be learnt to create a similar body in Darwen possibly supported by a voluntary levy.

"This is about a body led by business and meeting their needs with any money raised be spent by them not by the council as an extra 'rate'."

Cllr Roberts said: "There was some really great ideas put forward by the business representatives and in the months ahead these will be researched and explored.

"The idea of a levy was surprisingly well-received.

“There are great things happening in Darwen such as the food festivals and other events that draw in visitors."

The new body will meet monthly initially.