EFFORTS are being made to make Blackburn town centre a safer and more attractive place to visit.

Blackburn Business Improvement District (BID) has been working with local police on a Blackburn Businesses Against Crime scheme to reduce issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour.

The BID will be investing £60,000 per year in the project.

Blackburn BID is a business-led initiative, where local traders form partnerships to implement improvements and better the business environment.

A special ‘BID breakfast’ meeting is being held tomorrow for traders and business managers to discuss how investment by the BID can help revive the town centre.

Participants will be discussing anti-social behaviour, crime, vandalism and security in the town centre, and Ronnie O’Keefe from Blackburn Businesses Against Crime, who works as security manager for The Mall, will give a presentation.

Chairman of the BIackburn BID, Mark Smith, of Exchange Coffee, said: “The BID will invest £60k a year in making our town centre a safer more secure place for people to shop and work.

“A negative perception of safety can deter some visitors from visiting the area and new businesses from locating in the town.”

Blackburn town centre police sergeant Nick Everett said: “The amount of investment from the BID will allow numerous crime and security initiatives to be completed.”

All town centre businesses are welcome to attend the free event at Liz ‘n’ Lil’s on Northgate, from 7.30am with presentations at 8am.