COMPANIES have one more week to have their say on whether they want to set up two Business Improvement Districts in Bournemouth.

The town centre BID covers 565 businesses, while the Coastal Districts BID includes 760 firms, including traders in the shopping areas of Boscombe, Southbourne and Westbourne.

The BIDs work by firms paying an extra levy of 1.5 per cent of their business rates. The cash will be pooled and spent on measures to bring more customers in.

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

Voting has been open since March and businesses have until April 9 to have their say – but are being urged to post their forms by April 5.

Des Simmons, chairman of the coastal BID, said: “The importance of the change the BID can make to Bourne-mouth and the economy coming out of the recession is vital.

“The main part of it is that businesses get the chance to vote. This is the time for them to have their say.

“We’re very confident that it’s going to go ahead because of the sheer support for it, but the message now is just to say ‘this is your chance’.”

Tony Brown, chairman of the town centre BID, added: “Working together, the two BIDs will ensure that their marketing activities are seen to be complementary.

“We will develop a coherent, effective message, which sells Bournemouth in the right way to our respective markets.”