MOVES to have a town centre manager for Northallerton took a major step forward when businesspeople gathered at a breakfast meeting in the town hall on Tuesday.

But it was made clear that to bring the £30,000 scheme to fruition would take a lot of effort and cash.

Town councillor Sally Anderson, chairman of Northallerton and Villages' Community Plan Forum, said another £8,000 was needed to make an appointment possible. She said the meeting had been called to gauge High Street support for the move.

Promised funding would be needed from local businesses and over the next few days forum members would be contacting firms to discuss options.

After the meeting, Coun Anderson said she was cautiously optimistic. "There is support out there but we now have to get people to commit," she said.

"This is a crucial stage and if we miss this opportunity it could be a long time before we get the chance again. It would be sad to miss out."

She told the meeting: "A town centre manager would help to take schemes forward, working with all sections of the community, but especially businesses."

The manager would be employed by the town council and responsible to a board comprising key investors and partners.

Yorkshire Forward has put in £15,000 and nearly £7,000 more has been pledged by North Yorkshire county, Northallerton town and Hambleton district councils.

"We now need to find more to activate the scheme," said Coun Anderson.

Peter Mudge, town centre manager for Malton and Norton, was one of the guests.

"Many town centres have no voice to speak for them and this is where a manager comes in," he said. "We are getting funding for a manager from local firms, with 85pc backing the project."

Stockton's town centre manager, Geraint Williams, said that in the last 12 years the number of town managers had risen to 300.

"This shows the post is being seen as a key focus to drive forward regeneration," he said.

"High streets in small towns are still under threat and it is the job of the town manager to ensure a centre which is vibrant, safe and secure.

"The town centre is the heart of the community, the pulse and it benefits everyone.

"The pattern of shopping is constantly changing, as are lifestyles. We have to watch what's going on and respond to it."

On funding for the post, Mr Williams felt that having to raise funds to cover your own salary was not ideal. "It stops you from concentrating on the job," he said. "The key is to have the community working together with the town manager as the link."

Ken Blackwood, vice-chairman of the plan forum, said it was important that the business community had a strong input into the scheme.

Mr Williams advised: "You need a strong business plan to take to the business community so people can see what you aim to deliver."

Coun Anderson was pleased with the way the meeting went.

"Those who were there were very positive. No-one said having a town centre manager was a bad idea," she said.