Helen Challis, Poole BID director and partner of Quay Holidays, commented: “It is no secret that Poole High Street, like many others, has struggled and therefore, this Autumn Budget announcement reducing business rates by a third for all retailers with a rateable value of £51,000 or less is a welcome change for small businesses on the High Street.
“A combination of reduced business rates, improved public realm and greater awareness of what Poole has to offer will help to rejuvenate our town and the BID looks forward to hearing more about the delivery of this additional funding to local areas.
“We are also interested to see how the Future High Streets Funding plans will be implemented, in order for the High Street to thrive it must be future-proofed. The £650million fund must be spent wisely in order to ensure that it creates the most effective plans.”