Poole: Businesses on countdown to guide future of town

Poole Town Centre Partnership is urging Poole businesses to give input as part of the proposed Business Improvement District (BID).

Following a presentation evening in June to discuss the Poole BID, a detailed consultation process is underway and the deadline of August 31 looms for initial responses. 

Meetings with retailers and other businesses from across the designated BID area (including the Quay, High Street, Dolphin Shopping Centre, and all streets within these) are being held with key individuals from Poole Town Centre Partnership. Every business has the opportunity to speak to an area representative during this process, and complete a questionnaire providing opinion on what it deems important to help the town to thrive over the next five years.

Jonathan Sibbett, chairman of Poole Town Centre Partnership board, said: “The proposed BID could directly raise £330,000 each year together with potential match funding to help with signage, events, car parking, security and cleanliness among other things, which would ‘up our game’ as a town.

"It is vitally important that all Poole businesses come forward and tell us what they would like to see from this BID. Their opinions really matter and they are the ones that know best about what action is needed to improve trade within Poole.  The BID can’t happen without them.”

Following the consultation period, area meetings are planned for September 14 and 15 giving businesses the chance to hear what others have contributed to date. The area priorities will also be outlined.

The input provided will help shape the draft BID business plan to be launched in November. An open meeting will give all BID voters the opportunity to comment on the proposal document, which will be finalised at the end of November. 

Sibbett continued: “There are many other towns including Bournemouth and Wimborne that have implemented successful BID schemes across the UK, which show how working together for the good of an area can provide huge benefits and new prospects to businesses. We want this same opportunity for Poole.”

A yes/no ballot is planned to be undertaken in February to March 2016. 

For further information, to contact your area rep or to fill in the questionnaire, visit the new website - poolebid.com or contact Poole Town Centre’s manager Hannah Mayo: [email protected] 

Interested parties can also keep up-to-date with news and give their views via Twitter: https://twitter.com/BIDPoole and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poole-BID/1656653974565020