A VOTE will take place this month which could see Marlow businesses wrest control of their own future from the council over issues affecting trade.

Firms on the industrial estates to the east of the town will receive a ballot paper this week over whether to form a Business Improvement District (BID).

Despite a thriving business community, there have been growing calls to bring the areas - including Globe Park and Thames Industrial Estate - into the 21st century after many units fell into disuse over the last few years.

Earlier this year, MP Dominic Grieve called for action over the sites to maximise Marlow's business potential, and Wycombe District Council believes the town has a huge role to play in business given its connections to the motorway network.

And WDC are urging businesses to say yes to forming a new panel of businesspeople who decide on the future of their own areas when it comes to issues like transport and upgrades..

Cllr Tony Green, WDC’s Cabinet member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: "Globe Park is a very important employment site for Marlow and the Wycombe district, due to its association with the Thames Valley, which is a real benefit, as well as its proximity to the strategic road network.

"While we recognise that creating a Business Improvement District will in itself not solve all the issues that need to be addressed, it will be a huge step forward and act as a catalyst for closer joint working in the future, enabling us to hear and act on the needs of businesses in and around Globe Park.

"Wycombe District Council firmly believes that a "yes" vote for a BID is in the best interests of these local businesses and will help to ensure the long-term vitality of this important business park."

Areas covered by the vote are Globe Park, Globeside Business Park, Thames Industrial Estate, Fieldhouse Lane, Fieldhouse Way, First Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Parkway (excluding Marlow International), Station Approach and Third Avenue.

The area is home to major players on the Marlow business scene, including Softcat and Sennheiser UK.

If a threshold of 50 per cent ‘yes’ vote is passed, all businesses in those areas will be charged a levy to pay towards a collective fund.

It could generate over £750,000 of private sector-led investment to support sustainable transport initiatives, image enhancements, green schemes, security and communications.

A similar scheme exists in High Wycombe town centre, which has been responsible for public events, retail initiatives and lobbying the council over policy.

If it goes ahead, Marlow’s BID would be one of the first business park BIDS in the county, with decisions being decided by a panel of businesspeople with intimate knowledge of the areas it covers.

However, the cash cannot be used to support or pay for statutory services provided by the public sector, and can only be invested in line with the aims and objectives of the business community itself.

The levy will be calculated at 1.25% of rateable value, payable by every non-domestic rates payer whose rateable value is greater than £10,000.