BOURNEMOUTH has been picked to take part in a national drive to boost trading in British high streets.

Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets programme aims to increase footfall by 10 per cent, reduce vacant properties by 20 per cent and stimulate jobs over three years.

The programme began in 2014 and is backed by Boots UK, EE, Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Santander and new partner Wilko.

Bournemouth town centre is one of the 33 latest areas selected for the programme, bringing the number of participants to the target of 100.

Bournemouth will receive a package of support including access to skills, expertise and dedicated high street champions from supporting businesses. Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) will work with the council and other partners to devise an action plan addressing the town’s challenges.

Steve Hughes, manager of Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said: “Bournemouth Town Centre is a great shopping and leisure destination which has been enhanced by the BID over the last few years.

“With the help of Healthy High Streets we will be able to do even more which is good news for all our town centre businesses.”

Robin Foale, managing director of Santander Universities UK and chair of the Healthy High Streets programme, said: “Congratulations to Bournemouth town centre on being chosen to be part of the Healthy High Streets programme. This is a great opportunity to work with the business partners and the local high street champions to transform your town and create a thriving, vibrant centre for the local community.”

Business in the Community’s Peter Donohoe said: “One of the most powerful ways for business to make an impact in communities is by creating high streets that are vibrant places to live, work and do business. It has been heartening to see the practical difference collaborative, business-led action can make on high streets over these past two years.

“While there is much to be proud of about our Healthy High Streets Programme we also know there is more work to be done. We warmly welcome Wilko as programme partners and look forward to working with them to create lasting change.”

Results for the three-year national programme will be announced in July 2017.

Business in the Community says the past year has brought support and resources worth £17million from its corporate partners into 67 high streets.