THERE are just under 500 Hereford BID members and we want you to nominate yourself for one or more of the 12 awards.

The majority of the member businesses are retailers, restaurants and pubs and the BID area covers the majority of the city centre within the old wall, as well as the Old Market development, and Commercial Road.

The Hereford BID Business Awards are a chance to celebrate the members and all that you do for the city.

Hereford BID is now just past the end of its second year, with three more years to go.

The first 12 months were about setting up, laying foundations and planning.

Mike Truelove, operations and marketing manager, said: "Year two has started to see real benefits on the streets, as well as the development of many projects that are set to be delivered over the next three years – all aimed to increase footfall and place Hereford as the city of choice as a destination."

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined geographical area, generally encompassing a city centre, in which businesses have agreed by way of a formal and legally binding ballot, to pay a small levy into a central pot to fund improvements in the area for a period of five years.

The idea had been discussed in Hereford for a number of years, without the impetus to make it happen ever materialising.

Mr Truelove said: "With the backdrop of struggling high streets up and down the country, it became clear that Hereford was falling further behind very rapidly as a result of a complete lack of any form of city centre traders group or destination management of any kind.

"Recognising this need a number of the local independent retail and leisure businesses, together with support from national chains got together to address the situation.

"The group which included representatives from Boots, Play nightclub, Off the Wall, All Saints Café and many others developed a plan and gained the support needed to make it happen."

John Jones from Philip Morris & Son is chairman of the group and vice chairmen are Dan Guerche, who runs various pubs and clubs including the Wellington, Kerry and Venue, and Alan Anderson, manager of the Old Market. There are nine other board members, along with a strategic lead, Georgia Smith, and manager Mike Truelove.

 To enter go to www.herefordtimes.com/hbidbusinessawards/