ALLOA business owners gave mixed views as the renewal ballot for the town's business improvement district (BID) is fast approaching.

Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement District, which would rebrand to Alloa First should it be successful in its bid for renewal, has put forward plans for the next five years this month.

Shopkeepers will be deciding whether the organisation, which looks to enhance the area and bring more customers in, should continue with ballot papers already distributed to those taking part.

One business owner told the Advertiser she would need to see some radical changes for the BID to gain her trust, while another believes continuing the organisation would benefit all in the area.

Anne-Marie Macklin, of Smart Specs on the High Street, was supportive and said: "A new BID should mean a better promoted town centre, a stronger group of businesses working together for the mutual benefit of all, who ultimately can offer a higher and better level of customer service for the people of Clackmannanshire."

On the other hand, Lorraine Colville who runs Colour Lounge just across the street, was less impressed.

She said: "If it's the same board, it would be a no vote from me."

Lorraine explained she would like to see change top-to-bottom, adding: "I'd want to see an AGM (annual general meeting), I'd want to see accounts because in 10 years we've seen none of that, you can't run a business and ask people to pay for something [when we] don't know where the money is going."

She also had an issue with the BID levy being billed from Clackmannanshire Council, adding: "It should be billed from their [the BID's] own department."

Lorraine continued: "I want to see what we are getting, I want to see what they spent, I want to see accounts and who benefited and who didn't."

While a budget outlines how the BID would spread £100,000 a year on various ideas to promote the town centre, making it more welcoming and vibrant, what Lorraine would like to see is an accounts return each year to allow for more scrutiny.

She also believes that shop owners who run and work in their businesses, rather than landlords, should be the ones who have their say on the BID.

In its plans, the BID did outline that existing directors would resign and a new board of 12 would be established should the ballot be successful.

Meanwhile, chairman David Westland resigned from the board and the top position last week.

A founding member, he had been involved for 10 years.

A statement from the BID thanked him for his dedication and service before saying: "The Board of Directors and management team are fully committed over the next six weeks in achieving a successful renewal ballot result to secure a further five year BID term for Alloa town centre."