The chairman of St Andrews Business Improvement District steering group said there was confidence their project would succeed.
Ken Dalton was speaking after the narrow defeat of the Business Improvement District (Bid) proposal for Dundee city centre on the rateable value rule.
It was carried by the majority of voters but fell just short of securing more than 50% of support when the constituent businesses’ rateable values were counted.
A factor in the defeat was felt to be the unease of large high street retailers and businesses faced with paying high membership levies which could multiply by more than 200 Bid schemes across the UK.
Although in the minority in terms of votes cast, their combined rateable values were a major obstacle in stopping the ‘yes’ vote from breaking through the 50% barrier in that test.
The retail and business complexion of St Andrews, with its many independent shops and restaurants, is different from Dundee city centre, and national businesses may not have the same influence.
The Bid St Andrews ballot papers are to be issued in late August, with October 8 the closing date for votes.
Mr Dalton said public engagement meetings so far had been positive.
He said they have had attendances of up to around 100 at them, and that a survey found the acceptance level of a Bid at more than 80%.
“That is obviously positive, but it is only a snapshot of opinion.
“We have been around the shops and businesses asking people what they want for St Andrews, and they’re saying things like more events, better parking and better waste collection. We’re putting all of this together in our business plan, which is being written at present.
“We want to make it as tight as possible with a set of proposals which we will present in draft to businesses in June with a view to putting to Fife Council in the summer for their approval, and then circulate to the community for the ballot in October.
“There is a lot of confidence in St Andrews about a BID with very positive responses from many people.
“The levies that member businesses will pay will be crucial and these fees are being worked out just now. Some of the small independents are concerned about how much they will have to contribute.
“There is nervousness about costs, but the businesses in St Andrews will vote for a Bid if they feel it is an investment worth making. We will try to persuade them that it is.”
A Bid provides a platform to implement change to the town and its environs, and he said it would make the town an even better place to do business and generate growth.
“We are very hopeful that the business community will get behind the scheme and endorse Bid St Andrews,” Mr Dalton added.
* A Business Improvement District (Bid) involves businesses working and investing collectively in local improvements, in addition to those delivered by the statutory authorities.
The improvements are designed to benefit the businesses and contribute to the wider aspirations of the local community and economy.
Bids give local businesses a unified voice and provide an arena for businesses and local authorities to increase their mutual understanding.
Backed by Scottish Parliament legislation, they can cover almost any project or service that local businesses agree would be of benefit.
There are a total of 30 Bids in Scotland at present, with 25 in towns and cities including Dunfermline Delivers set up in 2009 and Kirkcaldy4All formed the following year.
Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie Bids are due to go to ballots later this year, both focused on working to enhance trading conditions to generate greater commercial success and a better local economy.