Epsom businesses showed a “strong appetite for change” in a survey testing enthusiasm for creating a partnership to help improve the town.

Improving the image of the town centre, a greater variety of retail outlets, parking incentives, business networking and putting on more events, were highlighted as key priorities by the nearly 100 businesses which completed Epsom Town Business Partnership’s survey.

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A vast majority (88 per cent) of the survey’s 97 respondents were concerned with Epsom’s ability to compete with key competitors, including Kingston, Sutton and Guildford.

The Town Business Partnership was set up in September, tasked with finding out businesses’ priorities for improving the town.

From September: Epsom businesses working towards Business Improvement District

One initiative the partnership’s chair, Kim Eden, and town centres manager for Epsom, Ewell and Stoneleigh, Alanna Coombes, have been keen to promote, is the creation of a Business Improve District (BID) in Epsom.

From March: Would a business group improve Epsom town centre?

In a BID, local traders set up a business plan that defines a strategy to improve their town and pool funding towards their goal. Nationally, businesses in a BID pay an extra 1.4 per cent on top of their business rates.

Ms Eden, who is also the manager of Marks & Spencer in Epsom, pointed out that the town’s competitors all have BIDs in place and are embarking on ambitious generation projects.

From July: Mole Valley District Council approves '£200m' 10-year masterplan to transform Leatherhead

From Febriary: Major consultation launched on Sutton's future as council unveils 2031 vision

In Kingston, plans have been approved to regenerate Eden Walk, similar plans are in place to Transform Leatherhead, and Sutton is redeveloping its town centre as part of its Sutton 2031.

Ms Eden said: "We were amazed at the huge response we got from businesses – there’s a strong appetite for change.

“Now it’s clear that there’s a strong majority of businesses in central Epsom that want to (create a BID).”

From November 2015: "I want local residents to feel proud of their town centre" says new manager who wants Epsom to be bustling market town

A formal ballot on the creation of a BID would need to be held prior to its establishment, and town centres manager Alanna Coombes suggested this could take place next summer.

She added: “All our competitors are getting bigger and better and we’re at risk of having customers and good staff sucked away to the detriment of local retailers and residents.

“Epsom businesses are not taking this lying down. They’re taking control of their town centre and through the Business Partnership examining how a BID could ensure Epsom achieves its potential as an attractive, bustling, interesting, fun-tastic market town that’s perfect for businesses to grow, staff to work, and customers to enjoy.”

Ms Coombes advised there will be further consultations taking place over the coming months.

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