PETER Lay, the chairman of Devizes Development Partnership, has said he would be disappointed if the town's business community was not prepared to shell out £10,000 a year towards the cost of employing a town centre manager.

Speaking to Devizes Chamber of Commerce last week, Mr Lay described his vision for the future of the town, finding practical ways of maximising its considerable potential.

According to a retail revival study by a team from Bournemouth University published last year, the first priority is the appointment of a town centre manager.

Mr Lay said the annual cost of employing the right person would be in the region of £40,000.

He said: "It is important the business community is seen to be proactively helping itself.

This will send the right signals to the public sector, both the local authorities and the regional development agencies, to help support regeneration in Devizes."

The Devizes Development Partnership has sent out letters asking local businesses to pledge a minimum of £50 a year for three years to support the appointment of a town centre manager.

The manager's role would be to encourage new business into the town and to raise the town's profile within Wiltshire and beyond.

They would also have a role in the planning of redevelopment schemes in the town centre.

The partnership hopes to appoint a manager in the autumn.