ARMED with placards denouncing the Hexham Business Improvment District scheme, traders from across the town gathered outside Hexham Abbey on Saturday.

Their aim was to increase public awareness of their opposition to the scheme, which is funded by a levy on businesses with the aim of stimulating growth.

More than six months after it was first introduced, there is a revolt among a group of business owners who say they were never properly consulted, is gathering pace.

“We were there for three hours and not one person came up to us to say they were in favour or supported it,” said Paul Robbie, who runs a motor services business on Haugh Lane industrial estate.

“What did come across from speaking to people who travel to Hexham for shopping trips is how they feel they’ve witnessed the demise of so many shops over the last five years.

“That speak volumes for me. And the fact remains that 646 should have been balloted and I’ve got people coming to me weekly to tell me they knew nothing about it. ”

Mr Robbie said a 30-strong crowd of business owners turned out last Saturday, with plans to repeat the protest at 11am tomorrow – this time with a petition calling for a vote of no confidence in the BID board members and for a re-ballot of businesses.”

Hexham BID, the first in Northumberland, began operating in October after a six-month delay due to a review of the validity of the ballot.

It’s funded through the levy, which is collected by the county council from eligible companies in the defined BID area.

Janine Armstrong, chairman of the BID board, said evidence suggested towns with BIDs in operation were doing much better than those without.

“The ballot took place some time ago, with majority support from local businesses,” she said.

“We feel very positive that the work we’ve already developed on enhanced cleaning, improved signage, and extra marketing of the town further afield is very much in line with what local businesses want, and fed into our business plan.”