Romford BID officially launched at at The Slug and Lettuce, South Street, Romford!

"The journey really does begin now," said Chair, Tom Stobbart.

"We need every business in the town centre to engage and support us in our mission to make Romford better than it has ever been before."

The scheme is open to all businesses within the Ring Road area.

Participants will have to pay a 1.5% of their rateable value (RV) as a levy which will go into a pot to fund upcoming developments.

"Strong competition from other towns, limited office space and a less than deserved negative perception means that now is the time for us to unite," added Stobbart.

"This is an exciting time for Romford, and we believe that it is the businesses that should be leading the way in helping our town to realise its potential to become one of the leading town centres in England."