BUSINESSES throughout Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet, are being called on to help to reinvigorate their region.

They are being urged have their say on how urban renaissance could improve the three places by taking part in a major evening meeting with the Selby Towns Renaissance team on Tuesday January 18.

The meeting, at Selby Town Hall, will bring together the Chambers of Trade and Commerce for Selby and Tadcaster, the Active Business group and the Selby Industrial Association. But all ventures based in the district are welcome to take part.

Called Listening To Business, the meeting will be an important opportunity for local business people to speak out on early ideas from consultants for urban renaissance in the district and, in turn, tell them about issues such as housing, transport and employment from their own sector's perspective.

Brian Cass, chairman of the Selby Industrial Association, said: "We are interested in improving the Selby towns as places to live as well as to work. The Listening To Business meeting will be an important opportunity for business people to make sure that the Renaissance projects will help to support what local businesses want."

Colin Wallwork, chairman of the Selby Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "We are conscious of the fact that businesses are being under represented in the Renaissance programme. This is the perfect opportunity for them to play a part in this exciting project."

The consultancy team, led by URBED (Urban and Economic Development Group), has been appointed by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, to work with a local towns team to develop a Renaissance Charter and strategic development framework for Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet.

David Rudlin, URBED's director, said: "Thriving businesses are fundamental to urban renaissance, and thriving town centres can only help the future of business, so we are particularly keen to listen to what local business people have to tell us about what they see as the future."

Fact file

The Listening To Business meeting will be one of six workshops taking place over the next six weeks, two of them focusing separately on energy and transport .The remaining three will look at specific local issues in Tadcaster, Selby and Sherburn-in-Elmet.

The process will culminate in a District Charter - a vision for the future - that will set out priorities for urban renaissance.

Once the charter is launched, masterplans for change are expected to be published in October.

People wanting to attend any of the meetings can phone Neil Skinner at Selby District Council for further details on 01757 707865.

Updated: 12:00 Thursday, January 06, 2005