Poole is getting ready for business again.

The heart of the town - including the Dolphin Centre, High Street, historic Old Town and Quay- is preparing for the first stage of unlocking on April 12 when non-essential retail can reopen.

And the Poole BID is spearheading the efforts with plans for markets, street music, social events and a host of other initiatives.

New BID manager Jacqui Rock said: “We are really excited about the prospect of welcoming people back. It has been a long few months under the latest lockdown restrictions.

"It has also been very challenging for the business community, so we are working hard with our levy payers in preparing for life getting back to something like normal."

She added: "We have a beautiful and vibrant town with so many attractions, not least its history and heritage and great retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, so we are also looking to seeing visitors from further afield as well as our residents."

The BID is just beginning the ballot process for a new five year term.

The vote among the levy payers takes place on May 20 with the result being announced the following day.

Jacqui said: "There is a lot still to do and plenty of challenges as we come out of the pandemic and look to the future of town centres and high streets.

"If we are successful in the ballot, my aim is to continue to build on relationships, partnerships and have open and transparent communication channels so that our members are kept fully informed.

"We will ensure that Poole has a platform and a voice along with our neighbouring BIDs in Bournemouth and Christchurch.”

BID chairman, James Croker added: "Poole has an enormous amount to offer as a vibrant, diverse flourishing and colourful town and so, we all know Poole has something for everyone. There is plenty to be optimistic about."

On the renewal he said: "We are putting forward our vision of a bright and sustainable future, working in partnership with BCP Council and other organisations but most importantly the business community, which is the lifeblood of Poole’s success.

"We are ambitious for our town and its future and I ask our members to make Poole an even better place by backing the BID”.

The 'welcome back' events include street music on April 25 and May 2, 9 and 16 from 11am to 2.30pm in the Old Town and Poole Quay.

On April 18 there will be a traditional market in Orchard Plaza in the Old Town from 10am to 6pm and a growers market on May 3 in Falkland Square from 10am to 4pm.

The events are being organised by Suzy Wheeler of local business Strawberry Fields Represents with Poole BID’s charity of choice, the RNLI in attendance.

For more see poolebid.com