LEADERS of Durham’s new Business Improvement District (Bid) have moved to reassure traders they will get value for money from the venture.

Ahead of the first Bid bills being posted out tomorrow (Friday, May 17), manager Sonali Craddock announced a string of projects to be funded from the initiative.

Three new events will be added to Durham’s calendar: a Dine in Durham week in July, a film festival in August and a fashion week in October.

The Bid team will also look to develop the annual retail awards, Christmas lights switch-on and Christmas festival and take advantage of this year’s high-profile visitor events: the Lindisfarne Gospels loan, the Ashes Test and Lumiere.

A new website and Durham app for smartphones will be launched this summer and there will be special offers, vouchers and discounts to encourage people to shop in Durham.

Miss Craddock said: “Our goal is to get more feet on the streets and more cash in the tills.

“Durham is doing better than many town and city centres but anywhere can always do better.”

Under the Bid, more than 400 companies across an area covering Elvet, North Road, Walkergate and the Peninsula will be charged 1.5 per cent of their rateable value for the next five years, with the £1.65m leaders expect that levy to raise being spent on measures to improve the area.

Businesses overwhelmingly backed setting up the Bid in a vote last October.

Since it was formally launched and Miss Craddock began work in March, she has been establishing its base on Saddler Street, meeting business people and working on early priorities.

Two city ambassadors, Alf Smith and Kristy Hockaday, have also been recruited.

Miss Craddock said: “We have had a positive response as a whole.

“People are aware of the Bid and excited about the events.”

The first bills will cover the 12 months from last October, with the next following this October.

Miss Craddock said she was more than happy to meet any business people to discuss the Bid. For more information, visit durhambid.com, email sonali.craddock@durhambid.co.uk or call 07809-301-998.