The company behind the Ipswich town centre Business Improvement District (BID) project has held a workshop event giving businesses a chance to have their say on its future priorities.

Ipswich Central is about the enter the final year of an initial five-year term, involving a mix of initiatives and improvements funded by a levy on businesses within the town centre BID zone.

A ballot is expected to take place later this year to seek the approval of local businesses for a second term.

Although many town centre businesses are in frequent communication with the Ipswich Central team, particularly its Street Rangers, the organisation wanted to engage with its stakeholders on a more focused basis.

The round-table event, held at the Novotel, was hosted by Terry Baxter, communications director of Ipswich Town FC, who has recently joined the Ipswich Central management board.

The findings will be announced on Wednesday, March 9, during a second event to be held at DanceEast on the Waterfront, which will reveal the results of the workshop and outline a future vision for Ipswich Central, and how it will be shaped.

This event will be open to all businesses within the BID zone.

Paul Clement, executive director of Ipswich Central, said: “It is of vital importance to Ipswich Central that we are engaging with the opinion formers and businesses within the BID district, to ensure that we are delivering what they need.

“Even at this very early stage, we can tell how highly our Street Rangers are regarded, which is most heartening. Crucially we would like to demonstrate to all those that contributed that their comments will make a difference and will go towards shaping an even brighter future for Ipswich.”