TRADERS in Poole have voted by a two-thirds majority in favour of setting up a business improvement (BID) district to promote the town centre.

The vote means a not-for-profit company will be established to spend £1.65million over five years to promote the BID area.

Sixty-eight per cent of voting businesses backed the creation of a Poole BID, which will cover the Quay, High Street, Dolphin Shopping Centre and adjacent streets.

Votes were cast by 235 of the eligible 495 businesses, with 159 voting 'yes' votes and 76 'no'.

The BID will be funded by a 1.5 per cent levy on most businesses in the designated area, raising £330,000 for each year in the five-year BID period.

Members of Poole Town Centre Partnership steering group will now oversee the setting-up of the new not-for-profit BID company. Levy-paying businesses are being invited to register an interest in joining its board of directors.

Jonathan Sibbett, chairman of Poole Town Centre Partnership board, said: “We’re delighted with this extremely positive outcome. We’ve seen BIDs work to benefit other towns across the country, so we’re pleased that the rate payers of Poole have chosen to support a BID for their town.”

Projects in the BID proposal include:

* a five-year investment of more than £500,000 in marketing and events, with free WI-Fi in the BID area

* £550,000 on the “Poole experience”, including improving specific areas and brightening up empty shops

* £125,00 on security and safety

* £37,400 on supporting business, including the use of collective buying power to save money on businesses’ utility bills.

Helen Challis, partner of Quay Holidays and Quay Living, said: “This resounding yes vote is fantastic news for Poole. The BID will bring a host of businesses together, from small independents to large multi-nationals, to improve the area.

“The BID business plan has been drawn-up following extensive consultation over the past nine months, so it really does reflect the viewpoints of the businesses in Poole. This offers us an exciting opportunity to plan for the future of the town, to reinvigorate and revitalise it.”

Cllr Mohan Iyengar, Borough of Poole’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The council is behind this project and we are keen to support and drive the businesses of Poole forward with their new BID.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about joining the BID company can call 01202 649433 or visit poolebid.com