THE boss of restaurant chain Koh Thai will spearhead an effort to boost a key part of Bournemouth town centre.

Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is set to unveil plans next week for developing the Triangle and Poole Hill area.

Andy Lennox, founder of Koh Thai and director with the BID, will talk about the BID before discussing ideas for a new branding campaign for the area.

The BID is coming to the end of its first five-year term working to help business in the town centre. Traders will vote this year on whether to endorse another term.

BID representatives will lay out plans for reinforcing Bournemouth as a shopping and tourism destination.They say there are plans to support companies, protect jobs and attract new businesses, which they argue will only be possible with the financial resources brought together by the BID.The meeting takes place on Wednesday, January 25, at Canvas Loft Bar and Live Lounge, 45 Poole Hill.

Steve Hughes, manager of Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said: “In the next five years, we have big plans for improving the town centre, attracting investment, retaining talent, bringing in more visitors and persuading locals to make Bournemouth their shopping and leisure destination of choice.

“Highlighting our ambitions, we look forward to welcoming business decision makers from the local community to Canvas on January 25.’’

The BID is a not-for-profit company with a board of directors made up of representatives from local businesses, who pay a levy to the scheme.

The BID has so far invested almost £3million in raising the profile of the town centre. It has been responsible for the town’s outdoor ice rink, seasonal illuminations, and the town rangers who welcome visitors.

Next week’s event is aimed primarily at businesses in the Triangle and Poole Hill areas but all town centre business owners and managers are welcome. Similar presentations on improving the town centre will follow in the town centre and Lansdowne in the next few weeks.

Andy Lennox’s Koh Thai Tapas company is planning to open a new venue under the Koh Lounge brand in premises on Poole Hill, previously home to Priva.

The company was founded at Boscombe in 2009 and recently opened its 12th outlet in Lymington.

Anyone wanting to register for next week’s event can email info@towncentrebid.co.uk