A total of 381 businesses in Epsom could soon join together in an organisation which could fund marketing for the town and organise high profile events.

Business have until December 13 to vote for or against the The Epsom Business Improvement District (BID), for which they would pay between £150 a year (for the smallest businesses) and £8,000 a year (for the largest businesses).

Michelle Baker, BID development manager, said: “A Business Improvement District is the best way for all businesses in Epsom to invest a small amount each year to improve things that are beyond the remit of the Council.

"A BID is 100 per cent business managed and business-led - and there is a tremendous amount of support from the business community in Epsom and a real appetite for getting things done, so we are hopeful that this will be a successful ballot."

The BID boundary would include the town centre and extends to Epsom Downs Racecourse, and would include high street names such as Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, McDonalds and Wetherspoons.

The BID would have a budget of £1.5 million which, organisers say, could be used to boost trade and fund new initiatives and could start its activities on April 1 in 2018, pending a yes vote.

The 28-day postal ballot will close at 5pm on December 13.

Contact Michelle@epsom.bid for more information and a copy of the Epsom BID Business Plan.