TRADERS in Poole town centre are set to be polled on whether they are willing to pay higher business rates to fund civic improvements that boost sales.

They could be asked to pay collectively an extra £200,000 per year increase for five years - £1 million - under the planned Business Improvement District (BID).

Money raised under the scheme would be spent specifically on measures designed to improve trade in Poole town centre.

Traders would vote on whether they were willing to pay extra for benefits "over and above" those normally delivered by the council.

If approved by the majority, the extra bill would still be levied on town centre traders which did not support it.

Town centre manager Helen Crawford is meeting tomorrow with tourism and strategic planning policy director Bernie Topham to discuss the scheme.

News of the BID proposals emerged at the latest Lloyds TSB 60 Minute Business Analysis meeting at the Mansion House, Thames Street.

Ms Crawford said Poole town centre faced strong competition: "We are going to need the BID money in the town centre or we are going to get left behind."

Peter Breeze, practice manager of Jacobs & Reeves Solicitors, High Street, said: "I would like to see better infrastructure in and out of Poole."

Anthony Barrett of Trinity Architecture, Market Close, said he wanted "free car parking. Town people need free car parks."

If improved, the BID would start in April 2007. It would need start-up funding of £130,000 over two years, said Ms Crawford.