The British Retail Consortium has criticised the final regulations for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), which are due to come into effect from April next year.
Although the trade body has been a long-term supporter of BIDs, it says the rules governing ballots are weighted too much in favour of the promoters.
BRC director-general Kevin Hawkins said: 'Now, anyone proposing to charge a levy on local businesses under the BIDs scheme will not have to demonstrate a shred of support to initiate their ballot, nor will they need to send rate payers a copy of their proposals detailing plans and costs, unless they actually call up and demand it.'
Hawkins warned: 'These regulations do nothing to protect against poorly supported and poorly considered BIDs that could deliver nothing of benefit.'
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