A NEW voluntary initiative is aiming to get business owners on board with helping to keep Colchester town centre looking spick and span.

The jointly run Neat Street scheme, headed by Colchester Council and Our Colchester Business Improvement District, was launched today and will aim to get businesses to ensure their shopfronts are kept clean, tidy and appealing.

Street wardens and Business Improvement District street ambassadors will be visiting retailers over the coming weeks to explain more and encourage them to sign up.

Sam Good, Business Improvement District manager, said: “A key vision is for the users of Colchester Town Centre to see businesses that are thriving.

“In our eyes, an essential part of this will be to exhibit those that take incredible pride in their business from the daily sweeping of their shop front through to a lick of paint every now and then.

“We have a real community of businesses within the town centre which drives the civic pride that makes our town great.

“Therefore, we have partnered with Colchester Council on this campaign to show off the wonderful businesses which display this pride.”

Several businesses have already signed up to the initiative, including Bill’s restaurant, in High Street, and Gunton’s, in Crouch Street.

Neat Street is part of Colchester Council’s Better Colchester campaign.

Martin Goss, councillor responsible for waste, sustainability and infrastructure, said: “Just like our new GumDrop bins, new recycling bins and increased cleaning schedule, Neat Street will do even more to get everyone on board in making a Better Colchester.

“I am really pleased to be working with Colchester’s Business Improvement District on this and have no doubt by working together we can make every effort to get the support of local businesses.”

Visit colchester.gov.uk/bettercolchester.