CIVIC chiefs in Southampton have given the go-ahead to a scheme in which 400 businesses would pay for extra services like graffiti removal or security guards with helmet-mounted cameras.

The city council has agreed to stump up £84,000 to develop the project which will require the backing of businesses in a referendum.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo the Business Improvement District (BID) seeks to persuade firms to pay one per cent of the rateable value of their premises, or a minimum of £300, towards new services.

The money - estimated to be about £250,000 a year - will be spent on whatever businesses decide, but can't replace existing council services.

Street-level security patrols, signs, graffiti removal, mobile healthcare screening for workers, CCTV and a machine to strip chewing gum from pavements are examples of services businesses have elected to fund themselves in other cities.

WestQuay shopping centre bosses are already backing the scheme despite not being eligible to receive any of the BID services.

Boots is another advocate of the scheme. Big chains such as Peacocks, BHS, TK Maxx, WH Smith and Superdrug are also expected to offer support.

Councillor Royston Smith, member for economic development and regeneration, said: "It will be beneficial for businesses to improve their offer, services or security through spending on things the council cannot or doesn't have the funding for.

"It's something we are right to support."

SEEDA, the regional development agency, was originally going to fund the BID development until it pulled the plug on the cash leaving the city council to step in.

Tory council leader Councillor Alec Samuels said it reflected his group's pro-business policies: "We've put our money where our mouth is. Now it's up to the business community.'' Nationally, 73 BIDS have been put to referendum, with 63 accepted, including Winchester and Segensworth.

Do you back the BID? Contact business editor Gareth Lewis on 023 8042 4499 or e-mail him at business@dailyecho.co.uk with your view.