POOLE Business Improvement District (BID) has filled the post of chair, which has been vacant since the previous holder resigned in January.

Georgina Bartlett, managing director of the marine marketing and communications agency Saltwater Stone, in Stand Street, takes up the voluntary role, with Sara St George as vice-chair.

She said: "I’m excited by the challenges ahead and am committed to doing everything I can to deliver the 2021-2026 Business Plan as voted by the levy payers in May 2021. I’m lucky to be supported by an equally enthusiastic vice-chair, Sara St George and we, along with the wider board and executive team, plan to work together to bring change to the High Street and wider BID area."

Sara St George, who is deputy chief executive of the town’s Lighthouse arts centre, said: “The BID board is new, as most of the directors have been elected this year. Together we have a common goal to make a difference to the Poole BID area and to support the businesses that trade within it, and to create a welcoming environment to visitors and residents alike."

Jacqui Rock, Poole BID lead, said: "2022 has seen a positive turnaround in Poole BID with the appointment of a new board made up of enthusiastic and talented directors representing a range of levy payers. The addition of a chair and vice-chair committed to steer the board and the BID executive team completes the picture and will, I believe, make a real difference in driving improvements to the Poole BID area."

The organisation is about to start the formal process of applying for accreditation from British BIDs.

The BID area includes more than 500 businesses around Poole Quay, Poole High Street, the Dolphin Shopping Centre, the bus station and Lighthouse.

A management team is responsible for the day-to-day running of the BID, overseen by a board of directors drawn from BID levy-paying businesses.