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Shops and companies say they are unhappy about the way in which a business improvement district (BID) in Cranleigh was set up and that they have to pay an annual levy.

In a vote on the proposal in June 2023, 50 out of the 62 businesses that responded said they were in favour.

But several firms say they were not consulted properly and do not want to pay the charge to fund the scheme.

BID schemes encourage businesses to work together more closely and also offers access to funding.

Debbie Lee from Lee Taman Hairdressing received a £387 bill for her BID contribution.

She said: “It's not about the money. It's about the principle, how it was done and lots of businesses did not receive any paperwork at all.”

Ms Lee said traders do not need the Cranleigh BID website to encourage shoppers to the village.

Victor Bahal from Cranleigh Post Office is also against the website and instead is calling for more free parking for shoppers to be introduced.

“It’s a no-brainer to say parking should be free so that more people can come in.”

Iain Moore from Seafare fish and chip shop said Surrey Chamber of Commerce was already promoting Cranleigh.

“I don’t see there is a need to move it to the BID,” he said.

“I’d like the BID stopped and would like a community project where everybody gets their choice to be involved, and how much they can afford to donate into a fund, and then go from there.”

He said businesses are concerned about spending money, especially when utility bills and ingredients have gone up.

“My bill went from £1,500 a month to £4,000. Potatoes are £30 a sack now.”

He added: “I don't want to pay another £400 a year for the next five years, just to get something the Chamber of Commerce is doing.”

But there is support for the business district idea.

Peter Slinger, landlord of the Three Horseshoes pub, said the BID scheme would unlock money for Cranleigh and wants businesses to get behind it.

A Cranleigh BID spokesperson said: “The Board is made up of local business owners who run their business, pay the levy and volunteer their time as directors of the BID not for profit company. Any levy-paying business owner who becomes a member of the company can put themselves forward to join the Board and be part of the governance of the BID.

“The Board is tasked with delivering on the five-year business plan, and Waverley Borough Council has quarterly oversight on BID spend and will monitor progress made in achieving the BID's objectives.”

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