BLACKBURN’S Business Improvement District (BID) is advertising for a £30,000 manager to deliver its plans to spend £1.5million on boosting the town centre over the next five years.

Following an overwhelming vote last year, traders within the central area will pay a one per cent levy on their business rates to fund their own proposals to make it safer, livelier and more attractive.

Applicants must be ‘professionally qualified to plan, develop and manage the delivery of the BID initiatives and services’.

The advertisement says: “An exceptional individual with vision and partnership skills is being recruited to transform Blackburn town centre over the next five years to make it an attractive place to visit, shop, do business and work.”

Mark Smith, interim BID chairman said: “The BID manager will need to have experience of partnership working with multiple stakeholders, and possess the skills, enthusiasm and dedication to succeed in this challenging role.

“The successful candidate will report directly to a committee of traders and business people, who will set out the vision for improving Blackburn as a place for tourists, shoppers, visitors and businesses.”