BIG business in York is enthusiastically pouring money into a "war chest" set up by the newly-formed York Business Pride.

So far in less than a month the initiative has raised £92,000 - and by later this week pledges to beautify the city could easily break the £100,000 barrier.

The generosity has left Adam Sinclair, chairman of the new eight person York Business Pride board gasping. "I'm stunned," he said today as he received the latest pledge - £15,000 from Nestl.

Other York corporations which have rallied to the cause of creating a city wonderful for tourists, traders, shoppers and potential inward investors include the Shepherd Building Group and Jarvis which have both promised £9,000 over the next three years; and First bus company which is offering £3,000 this year with a pledge to upwardly review the sum next year.

Now the board, formed at York's Guild Hall on December 1 as the business community's answer to the York Pride campaign, is in a position to draw up a ten-point action plan.

This will involve improved signage and litter bins; supporting the police's tough stand on begging, street drinking and shoplifting, while backing shelter organisations to help the genuinely disadvantaged in the city; and beautifying key locations like Duncombe Place, the art gallery and Exhibition Square.

Mr Sinclair, whose own business, Mulberry Hall, in Stonegate is providing £3,000 sponsorship for the city's ongoing "gum-busting" blitz, said: "None of the businesses I have approached has accused me of wasting my time or have said they didn't have a budget to back us. "Everyone has been enthusiastically supportive of this move for businesses independently to link arms with the city authorities to beautify York.

"They have recognised the huge importance of our project to business not just because it will attract more shoppers and tourists, but also inward investment.

"That is what is going to grow the economy and labour market in York and will replace some of our traditional industries which, like it or not, are going into decline.

"Potential inward investors may spend 45 minutes looking at possible sites for relocation or expansion in Monks Cross, Heslington or Poppleton, but they are just as concerned that York is where they can attract key customers; where their key staff and, indeed, the chief executive and spouse would be happy to relocate. "If there is litter in the streets, chewing gum on the pavements, beggars in every doorway, graffiti and neglected areas then we could easily lose out to Cambridge, Edinburgh or Carolina. Our new war chest is set to counter all that"

Any businesses wanting to help the initiative should phone Mr Sinclair on 01904 620736.

How York businesses and organisations have contributed to York Business Pride:

Nestl, £15,000

Jarvis, and the Shepherd Building Group, £3,000 a year for the next three years, Hunters estate agency £2,000 a year for the next two years, First bus company, £3,000

Mulberry Hall, Garbutt & Elliott, chartered accountants, Mercedes, Hudson Moody estate agents, Adams Hydraulics, William Derby, York Conservation Trust, Northminster Properties and London York investment company each pledged £1,000 a year over the next three years

Agilisys, £2,000; Marks & Spencer and GNER each pledged £1,500; solicitors Harrowell Shaftoe, and Savills estate agency each promised £1,000 a year for three years starting in 2004

Town Centre Securities and Herbert Todd £750 a year for three years

Browns Department Store, £750 a year for the next two years

Persimmon £1,500

Oakgate Developments, Land Securities, Betty's, Barnitts and Monks Cross Shopping Park £1,000 each, York Civic Trust £500 a year for the next four years

Updated: 11:07 Monday, December 08, 2003