Boscombe is planning a bid to become one of Mary Portas’ high street hit zones.

The Government is looking for 12 areas to share £1million for town centre regeneration.

The pilot scheme was set up after retail expert Mary Portas said high streets were in decline.

The lucky winners will get cash and help from Government experts.

Boscombe’s regeneration officers and businesses are meeting tomorrow to discuss an application ahead of the March deadline.

New River Retail, owner of the Sovereign Centre, was also looking to take part.

Bournemouth’s head of tourism Mark Smith said Boscombe had been picked because Bournemouth town centre was already doing most of the work suggested by Mary Portas.

He said: “It wouldn’t be appropriate to bid for money for something that we are doing.”

Boscombe has in recent years lost major traders like TJ Hughes, Argos, Marks and Spencer and Woolworths.

However the Sovereign Centre void rate of 12.5 per cent is slightly below the national average.

And the area is increasingly home to independent cafes and restaurants like Boscanova and Koh.

Jay Hampton, one of the directors at Koh, said: “We think the area has a lot of potential – that’s why we moved there despite what some people said.

“The biggest problem is the amount of undesirables that get located here.”

Council Chief Executive Pam Donnellan said the Portas bid was part of the mix of regeneration projects being directed at Boscombe.

Bournemouth Council is trying to develop new family housing so the areas have a more settled and less disruptive population.

The Local Government Association has said the Portas pilot scheme is just “tinkering around the edges.”

However Grant Shapps, the Government minsters responsible, denied said: “The Internet is not going to go away, and so for our high streets to survive, they need to offer something new and exciting.”

How team can earn the money

To win part of the £1million town centres have to explain how they will fulfil the recommendations of the Portas Review.

The Portas report found only 42 per cent of retail spend is now in town centres and one third of them are failing or degenerating.

Key recommendations are: Set up new ‘Town Teams’ to run town centres as you would run a business.

Business rate help for small business and independents and affordable parking.

Have a planning system with a town centre first approach, especially for big retailers.

Take action when landlords leave properties empty or neglected.

Give the public a greater say and offer and offer rate concessions to new businesses.