She’s been a champion for Huntingdon town centre for more than a decade, but come October Katy Sismore will be stepping down from her role as the manager of the Business Improvement District (BID).

Mrs Sismore, who lives in Godmanchester, was central to getting the BID off the ground two years ago, creating an organisation with the resources to promote the town, make improvements and support the businesses in the town centre.

“I’m just going to have a break,” she said. “The BID is in a strong position and the future for Huntingdon looks amazing. The footfall counter which was installed four months ago is showing a real difference on weekday figures since the opening of Edison Bell Way and the multi-storey car park, and there are all the improvements which have been developed or about to be developed. The town is always changing.”

She added that one of her highlights was getting a yes vote on the BID ballot, allowing the setting up of the organisation and a levy on town centre businesses to fund its work, including the town rangers.

Graham Campbell, BID chairman, said: “Katy has gone way beyond her job description. She has guided the town partnership through its difficult transformation into BID Huntingdon with great skill and good humour.

“She will leave us with a strong organisation and she will be very hard to replace.”

Mrs Sismore was involved in Huntingdon Business Against Crime before becoming Huntingdon town manager in 2007 and BID manager in 2012.

Recruitment for a new BID manger will begin shortly.