POOLE Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the appointment of Carlie Palmer as BID manager.

Carlie, who will report directly to the BID board - made up of levy payers within the BID area - said: "I am very much looking forward to being responsible for delivering results from the business plan to the levy payers."

Earlier this year Poole traders voted by a two-thirds majority in favour of establishing a BID to promote the town centre.

The project will be funded by a 1.5 per cent levy on most businesses in the designated area, raising £330,000 for each year in the five-year BID period.

Poole BID covers the Quay, High Street, Dolphin Shopping Centre and surrounding streets.

Projects in the BID proposal include:

- a five-year investment of more than £500,000 in marketing and events, with free WI-Fi in the BID area

- £550,000 on the “Poole experience”, including improving specific areas and brightening up empty shops

- £125,00 on security and safety

- £37,400 on supporting business, including the use of collective buying power to save money on businesses’ utility bills.

Carlie, who has extensive business experience, said: "Poole is such a great town and has so much to offer and being part of a brand-new BID is an exciting time to be part of this project.

"I look forward to getting out and meeting all the BID levy payers with a full update on our progress so far."

The BID process was led by the Poole Town Centre Management Board and supported by the Town Centre Management Office.

Poole BID chairman Jonathon Sibbett said: "We are delighted to welcome Carlie to our team here in Poole. We are all passionate about Poole and feel Carlie can bring the business plan to fruition working with the board and retailers within the BID district."