The voting on the planned adoption of a Business Improvement District (BID) gets underway today (Thursday), with postal ballots dropping through the doors of some 500 businesses within the BID zone.

The scheme aims to create a fund that will help make improvements to the area and allow members to democratically decide on the use of the money.

Funded by a small levy on top of existing rates, the BID hopes to encourage more shoppers to the area, improve business and improve the quality of the town centre.

Voting forms must be returned by 5 p.m. on March 21.

Dom Panetta, of Migele Experience, who is chairman of the BID steering group, said he hoped that businesses in the town centre would jump at the opportunity to create a BID.

He said: "We can't get complacent because this vote must go through as I think it would be a sad day for Kirkcaldy if people voted no. If the vote is yes, it would be the start of the recovery of the High Street.

"It's a no-brainer. For anybody to be against the BID, it's like sitting on a branch and cutting it off.

"The only thing that people might be against is paying the levy on top of rents and rates, however, when you pay the rates you have no say over what it goes to, but with the BID you can have direct input.

"I have talked to clients about it, and they seem to think it's what Kirkcaldy needs. The feeling I get is the majority of the people are for the BID."

He added that projects the BID were looking at starting included events and the use of high street ambassadors who would assist and liaise with the police and help reduce petty crime, as well as carrying palmtop computers that would help them keep in touch with the police and the Council.

Sunil Varu, Kirkcaldy town centre manager, said that every pound that was put into the BID fund would be doubled by funding from Fife Council, Events Scotland and other sources.

He added: "The biggest priority has been to get more marketing and events and bringing more people into the town to generate footfall so that business can take advantage.

"Also cleanliness and safety, cutting out crime and making sure the centre is presented well. We're currently trying to do things with the vacant shops.

"It's a real opportunity. It's not often we get presented with an opportunity to do something like this where everybody pays on an equitable basis."