Poole Town Centre businesses are uniting to launch a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) on Thursday June 25 at Dolphin Shopping Centre from 6.30pm.
Organised by Poole Town Centre Partnership, the event will outline ideas regarding how a BID scheme in Poole could increase the vitality and viability of the town centre.
Experienced guest speakers, Steve Townsend from Weston-Super-Mare BID and Stefan Krause from Bournemouth Coastal BID, will share their positive experiences and demonstrate how it has benefitted the businesses within their BID areas.
Jonathan Sibbett, chairman of Poole Town Centre Partnership Board, said: “The proposal for a BID in the town centre and Quay areas will see a range of projects and initiatives developed and put forward that are intended to support the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre.
“We want the town centre business community to get involved in helping to decide the priorities and actions that a BID could deliver for our town. We hope to hear from all the town centre businesses on how we can all work together to create a more prosperous future for Poole.”
The presentations at the launch will review the feasibility report that was undertaken in 2014 and its findings, and explain details of how a successful BID can work highlighting the achievable benefits. Businesses will also be encouraged to input their thoughts and feedback into the debate. Following the launch event a detailed period of consultation will take place with all businesses in the proposed BID area to help develop an action plan that will be the basis of going forward. A draft action plan is expected by the autumn with further detailed consultation over the winter with businesses, and a yes/no ballot is planned to be undertaken in the spring of 2016.
There are over 200 Business Improvement District Schemes in operation across the UK, including a number of BID’s in Dorset. All businesses in the BID area have been invited to attend the launch at the Dolphin Shopping Centre on the 25and are encouraged to RSVP to info@poolebid.com