CONSUMERS and businesses are being asked for their views on what needs to be improved in Bury St Edmunds town centre.

Bid4Bury, the town centre business improvement organisation, has commissioned an online survey to find out why people enjoy visiting the town centre, but also why those who do not choose to go elsewhere.

At the same time, businesses will be asked to complete a questionnaire about trading conditions and positive or negative aspects of being based in the town.

The findings will be presented to Bid4Bury next month.

Bid4Bury chief executive Mark Cordell said: “By talking to both consumers and businesses we can work towards making Bury St Edmunds the ideal place for businesses to operate from. But in order to make that happen we need to know what people really like about our town centre and what needs to be improved.

“Many of the questions in the consumer survey involve simply ticking a box to give views on the range of shops, parking and other facilities but I think the most interesting aspect will be the answers we get, in both of the studies, where people have been asked for two improvements they would like to see.”

The research is being carried out by Action for Market Towns, a national organisation whose head office is in Bury St Edmunds, which helps small towns with information and advice on best practice to face the challenges from bigger cities or out-of-town shopping.

Mr Cordell added: “We carried out a similar exercise last year and the results were very positive, but that doesn’t mean we should be complacent.

“I know there are still issues about the town centre that concern both shoppers and businesses and this is a chance for people to make them known. Bid4Bury wants to do all it can to ensure the town centre is vibrant and attractive for residents, visitors and the businesses that operate here.”

The study can be found at www.ourburystedmunds.com and researchers are also carrying out some face-to-face surveys in the town centre. Following feedback from last year’s survey, paper copies of the questionnaire can also be obtained from the Bid4Bury office at 90 Guildhall Street for those without internet access.

The online survey will remain open until May 28.