Following extensive consultation with businesses across the Poole Business Improvement District area, the final BID business plan is ready to be dispatched to voters in March.
Retailers and businesses across the Poole BID area (which includes the Quay, High Street, Dolphin Shopping Centre and streets within these), can expect to receive the plan through the post from Monday March 7.
Once the business plan has been distributed, an official notice of ballot will be sent to all voters, followed by postal ballot papers on Thursday March 31.This marks the start of a 28 day ballot period when voters make their crucial decision to support a Business Improvement District for Poole.
The Electoral Reform Services (ERS) will post the ballot papers to all eligible voters. The vote closes at 5pm on Thursday April 28; to ensure they reach the count votes need to be posted back no later than Tuesday April 26.
The Borough of Poole has unanimously backed the scheme which will oblige them to contribute to the BID and to work closely with businesses for a better rejuvenated town. The Poole BID would be established as a separate company, but in alignment with the Poole Town Centre Partnership.
Chairman of Poole Town Centre Partnership board, Jonathan Sibbett, said: “We have committed a great deal of time to extensive consultation to ensure the people of Poole have a business plan that reflects their needs and viewpoints. We hope that everyone in the proposed BID area will take the time to read the plan and then to cast their vote. If the BID ballot is positive we will have a total, secure budget of £1.6million over five years to invest in the town centre – this could revitalise our town and make for a vibrant future for Poole.”
John Grinnell, Dolphin Shopping Centre manager, comments: “The proposed BID is a great way to look at bringing more investment into the town centre. Our owners, Legal & General, are backing the BID, recognising that it’s a great way to get businesses and retailers of all sizes to get involved together to help shape the future of the town. If it’s successful, I really hope that it will encourage other businesses outside of the immediate BID area to want to contribute too as they’ll be able to see the positive impact.”
Keep up-to-date with BID news via Twitter: https://twitter.com/BIDPoole Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poole-BID/1656653974565020 and the website: http://poolebid.com/