A PROJECT set to bring £1.5 million of investment to Hereford city centre has been launched today.

Hereford BID (Business Improvement District) secured the backing of almost 200 city firms earlier this year when traders were asked whether they would support the plan whose aims include increasing footfall and making it easier to park.

The money will come from each of the 481 city centre businesses invited to vote who will all pay a 1.2 per cent levy on the rateable value of their company.

"This is a great day for Hereford and one we have been looking forward to since we started the planning around two years ago," said John Jones, the acting chairman of Hereford BID.

"It will be fantastic to see the first projects getting underway and BID businesses benefitting as a result."

He said he was pleased to announce Georgia Smith as part-time BID director.

"I am really looking forward to seeing the projects we have included in the business plan come to fruition and put Hereford in star position to attract the shoppers and visitors it deserves," she said.

"It’s a beautiful city and we will do all we can at the BID to make sure it achieves its full potential as a destination."

Meanwhile, Mike Truelove has joined the team as full-time operations and marketing manager.

Other projects to be undertaken by the BID team will include better signage and lots of marketing and promotion to draw new customers to Hereford.

Hereford BID has been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee meaning all the levy invested by businesses in the city will be used to deliver these projects.

Mr Jones is now on the lookout for owners or senior managers to stand as directors on the new board.

Of the 224 businesses voting in the BID ballot, 172 voted in favour.

To have qualified for a vote, businesses must have had a rateable value of at least £7,500.