More than 90 businesses have pledged to support a new coalition to help resurrect the heart of Peterhead.
The Rediscover Peterhead business improvement district (BID) is gathering momentum ahead of a ballot to formally ratify the scheme.
Now organisers are preparing to publish a business plan for the next five years which will shape how the town develops.
John Pascoe, vice-chairman of the group, has welcomed the support of local firms.
“The BID process in Peterhead is really gathering momentum with over 90 businesses confirming their support by indicating their intention to vote yes in the forthcoming ballot,” he said last night.
The Rediscover Peterhead team has spent the first half of the year working with umbrella organisation BID Scotland as well as canvassing local entrepreneurs about what projects to focus on if the scheme is backed.
Mr Pascoe said: “We will know the outcome at the end of September but have a busy run up to the voting period with the release of the Rediscover Peterhead business plan 2017-2022 on schedule for next week.
“We at Rediscover Peterhead believe that the only way to ensure the future economic well-being of the town is to form a BID with all the businesses acting as one to achieve things that a single business could not.
“We look for the support of the local Peterhead town centre businesses, so please look out for the release of the business plan and if your business has concerns and questions then why not raise these at our forthcoming meeting.”
The Peterhead initiative will run over the next five years. More than 30 similar ventures have been operating across Scotland in recent years, with firms paying a local business levy.
Participating businesses subsequently decide how to use the funds to get the best value for their communities.
The next Rediscover Peterhead meeting will be held at the Palace Hotel on August 31.