THE team behind Hexham’s Business Improvement District said they hoped to use the results of a recent survey to bring cost savings to local firms.

During a six-week period, levy-paying businesses were invited to respond to a five-minute online survey, operated through the BID website, which gathered views on areas where local business owners wanted to save money.

These feed into the BID’s latest project which will explore and implement cost-saving schemes in Hexham.

With so much to consider in the daily running of a business, BID manager Helen Grayshan said the feedback from businesses suggested access to group savings could make a big difference.

Survey results showed that three main areas were important to the participants. Electricity costs came first, followed by broadband and telephone services and then card and merchant services.

The majority of respondents showed interest in being part of a group purchase scheme.

“We’d like to thank local businesses for taking part in this survey for Hexham BID.” said Helen.

From the results, the BID team will explore options available for all levy paying businesses to access savings. These will focus initially on the three key areas highlighted by the successful survey.

Work has already begun on negotiating reduced price electricity.

Participation in the scheme will be optional, and cost savings will vary depending on individual business needs.

Helen added: “Supporting businesses to collaborate and grow together is at the heart of the BID’s work.”

Meanwhile, with feelings still running high in the town about how the BID was brought into operation last October, a group of traders who remain determined to overturn the scheme have met with officials from Northumberland County Council.

Paul Robbie, who runs a motor services business on Haugh Lane Industrial Estate, was among those who travelled to County Hall to meet with the council’s director of planning and economy, Geoff Paul.

“In my opinion, there are some points within the British BID guidelines which haven’t been met, and we raised those at the same time as requesting a copy of the operating agreement between the BID board and the council,” said Mr Robbie.

Objectors to the BID argue that many businesses were denied a vote, while some organisations were now being incorrectly charged levy payments.

Mr Robbie revealed he has also been approached by traders from Morpeth, where the possibility of launching the county’s second BID is currently being mooted.