Around 300 businesses in the main retail and leisure streets of the city centre are likely to vote in the autumn on whether to introduce a Business Improvement District (BID) aimed at increasing footfall.

It has taken around 18 months and GBP200,000 funding to determine the feasibility of applying this idea in the city, with the work co-ordinated by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, but the concept has already proved successful elsewhere in Britain and the US.

In Glasgow, 300 businesses with a rateable value of more than GBP100,000 (about 20per cent of total businesses in the area concerned)will be asked to vote to pay a contribution to finance a five-year programme of initiatives targeted at benefiting retail and leisure sectors in particular.

Often BIDs have to tackle issues such as street cleanliness and public safety, but Glasgow has already invested heavily in public realm, policing and rapid graffiti removal, and the new initiatives are more likely to include seasonal marketing and event promotion to attract more consumers and increase spend from conference delegates.

Originally, the scheme involved pedestrianised areas of Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets, but this has been widened to include Ingram Street, Royal Exchange Square and Queen Street. The two main shopping centres have so far backed the plans, along with retailers such as John Lewis, Debenhams and M&S.

Retailers operate on tight margins, but David Ross, leader of the Style Mile project, does not believe the current business climate is a deterrent: "This is not an additional tax. Investing in footfall is a key business priority. Creating an experience is key at a time of growing e-commerce - it is not just about having products for sale.

"It is about encouraging people in to spend time in the shops and restaurants, not just buying, but enjoying the experience."