VOTING has today opened for the potential Bournemouth Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

Traders have until April 9 to have their say on whether they want the two BIDs set up.

The town centre BID covers 565 businesses.

The coastal bid covers 760 businesses, including traders in the shopping areas of Boscombe, Southbourne and to Westbourne.

They are being asked to pay an extra levy, worth 1.5 per cent of their business rates.

The money will then be pooled together and spent on ways of bringing in more customers to the area.

Proposals include better marketing and promotion, improvements to signage and town maps, and a team of town rangers.

Voting papers are being sent to every eligible business.