Businesses in Rugby have voted to set up a business improvement district to deliver a series of improvements to the town centre.

Nearly two thirds of businesses voted for the BID proposal which could see £3 million of investment over the next five years.

Almost half of the businesses took part in the poll, which means most firms will pay an average of £7 per week extra in their business rates for improvements to their town centre.

Next week will see the recruitment of BID operations manager, rangers and cleaners, while BID levy collection invoices will be issued at the end of this month.

A 12 month CCTV project will begin in November, with rangers and cleaners starting work in Easter.

Project director, John Armstrong said: "From day one, local business people have been telling us the town is bursting with potential and they were concerned neighbouring towns and cities were making improvements while Rugby stood and watched.

"This vote says they're committed to the town's future and ready to take that step towards making Rugby a premier retail, business and tourism destination."

He added that the certain sections of the local business community had been crucial in securing the yes result.

He criticised some firms for not abandoning their corporate approach to examine the worthiness of a BID in Rugby.

"It's been a long, hard battle to bring about this result and independent business owners and those at some of the larger, local institutions should be particularly proud of themselves as they've carried this result through.

"However, the inability of nationwide, high street organisations to step aside from a corporate approach to BIDs meant we were unable to convince them of the merits of our BID.

"Rugby BID has been successful despite their apparent opposition which has been the only disappointment in the process."

Ian Southcott, UK community affairs manager at Cemex, owners of Rugby Cement, was one of the local businesses that voted in favour of the BID.

He said: "We've a tradition of supporting the community so it's great news that the BID has been successful.

"It's not often you'll hear people pleased to have their rates increased but we know this will deliver a tangible return for local businesses."