DURHAM city centre could benefit from better public space, marketing, street cleaning, security and signage, under plans to establish a Business Improvement District for the area.

Under the scheme, money raised from a levy on businesses would be spent improving the area covered, in an attempt to make it more attractive to residents, shoppers, visitors and retailers.

The idea has come from business leaders at Durham City Forward. A feasibility study is expected to report in January.

Shopkeepers, licensees and others are being asked for their views on the scheme. Durham residents and visitors will be consulted in future.

For a Business Improvement District (BID) to be established, a ballot of all businesses in the area would have to be called, with more than half of businesses and more than half of the rateable value of the area backing the proposals.

Supporters hope a BID could be up and running by the end of next year.

Richard Toynbee, manager of Prince Bishops shopping centre, said: "We need to step up our game to put Durham in peoples minds as the place to be in our region.

"Setting up a BID would be a great opportunity to create the environment for attracting inward investment that develops the scope and range of businesses."

Colin Wilkes, director of Durham City Forum, said: "It’s time for Durham to stand up and be counted and help itself.

"Were aware that we’ve got a lot of competition within a 20-mile radius of the city centre. Now is the time not to be bemoaning our lot but to be trying to put together a positive package that will attract people back into Durham."

A total of 118 BIDs have been set up across the UK, generating more than 170m of extra investment, but they are rare in the North, with only Newcastle signed up.

Typically, the BID levy has seen businesses charged between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent of their rateable value.

What work was needed would then be decided by a committee of the businesses. Backers stress any improvements would add to that done by Durham County Council.

The BID could cover Claypath, Elvet, the Peninsula and Framwelgate Waterside. It is expected shops and licensed premises would be included.