Hamilton Our Town are celebrating after a successful campaign to remain as the organisation providing vital services to the town.
Local firms have been thanked for their incredible support in helping the group secure their yes vote this month.
It means a number of Christmas events such as the lights switch-on and and Christmas markets can go ahead as planned, as well a full host of community-led initiatives which have seen a huge rise in footfall to Hamilton town centre.
The vote takes place every five years where local firms enter a submission on whether or not they want the Business Improvement District (BID) to represent them.
This year, a record 79 per cent of businesses voted in favour of Hamilton Our Town, while it was the highest ever turnout recorded in the ballot process.
In 2012, a 65 per cent majority won the vote, followed by 68 per cent five years later in 2017.
Hamilton Our Town manager Malcolm Thomas-Harley told Lanarkshire Live : "I'm delighted by the level of support we've received from businesses.
"We're really pleased to see them support us, and to be recognised for finding many of the solutions in our town during very difficult times.
"The thing I've taken comfort from is the dramatic increase in the percentage of businesses voting us back in which from speaking with them also shows we're doing a good job
"It's good to see the majority feel we're doing a good enough job and want us to keep doing what we're doing for the next five years."
The group has proved to be a successful asset in the town in recent years, bringing community initiatives such as the Easter, summer and festive street markets into the heart of Hamilton and increasing footfall.
Such ideas have boosted the local economy with many businesses benefiting from the increased trading opportunities.
Hamilton Our Town have since brought free Wi-Fi to the town, a taxi marshal scheme, and lots more features which have been valued by locals.
Looking ahead to winter, Malcolm continued: "Our next project is the Christmas events, but we have our business plan and will we will commit to our work through the different services in the town.
"The festive events are very important because they're brining in a lot of people and it's good marketing for the town centre and lets people enjoy it.
"There'll be the big markets, the stage on Quarry Street, lots of on-street activity, working with lots of community groups, and hopefully deliver something of good quality and include something a bit different too.
"It will be a big festive celebration of a local community with tonnes for kids to do and carnival type entertainment for the dates planned."
The upcoming events are expected to be of a bigger scale than last year due to additional support from the Regent Shopping Centre and Hamilton Park Racecourse. More information on the planned events will be announced closer to the time.
Malcolm added: "We've been going around local businesses and thanking them personally. I'm very grateful but also keenly aware that we need to deliver.
"We want as always to do our absolute best for them.
"We're here, and we're doing all we can in the face of adversity, and we'll continue to do all we can to help the area.
"This is just the start and it's allowed us to push ahead now and there will be lots more to come."
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