A £6MILLION investment to improve Bournemouth for residents and visitors and boost trade for businesses has been approved.

Traders in the town voted to renew both the Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Coastal BID for the next five years.

It means both BIDs will be able to use the £6,526,400 investment, funded by a levy on local businesses, to carry out a range of projects and schemes.

Steve Hughes, manager of the Town Centre BID, said a new theme for this BID term was ‘clean and green’ to enhance the town’s appearance.

“A lot of the research that came through in our consultation was that the town was looking a bit tired and scruffy and needed some investment. Working closely with partners, we plan to spend some money on giving people a better, stronger first impression, particularly in some of the gateways to the town such as Lansdowne.”

One of the plans to support businesses in Lansdowne is a series of monthly street markets, which are set to start in September.

Mr Hughes said projects carried out by the BID between 2017 and 2022 would be decided by the board, but added there would be a stronger focus on business.

Martin Davies, Town Centre BID chairman, added: “For the first time, the office sector is included, and there will be money for extra cleaning services and some environmental improvements along with the continuation of events and festivals, town centre rangers, and marketing and promotion.”

The Coastal BID, which covers Boscombe, Pokesdown, Bournemouth seafront, Southbourne, East Cliff, West Cliff, Westbourne, Tuckton and Hengistbury Head, will invest more in communities and emphasise the uniqueness of its trading districts and their food and drink businesses.

Stefan Krause, BID manager, said: “We’re issuing a series of tenders for new projects including a big Christmas experience from 2018 onwards. We want to initiate new signature events, continue with the safety scheme, which is really important for Boscombe, and expand it to Southbourne and Westbourne.

“We have huge interest from East Cliff and West Cliff to continue with Bournemouth In Bloom and strengthen the scheme, and even introduce a new arts trail because the one in Boscombe is neglected and needs maintenance.”

Paul Clarke, chairman of Bournemouth Coastal BID and cluster general manager of Hallmark Hotels, added: “To have £6m investment for the town and the conurbation is fantastic when funds are being reduced in many areas.

“The re-ballot is all about building on the success we’ve built over the last few years.”