A MULTI-MILLION pound vision aiming to boost Southampton city centre's reputation as a prime retail and entertainment destination is a step closer.

The Go! Southampton Business Improvement District (BID) would generate £1million a year to boosting the city's international reputation and economic fortunes.

Now Southampton City Council has given its blessing towards the scheme ahead of traders and businesses voting on whether to adopt the zone.

As previously reported if 51 per cent of businesses in the city centre vote for the BID, all traders will pay a levy into one pot of funding.

It would bring more than £1m a year to fund improvements such as street cleaning and security - and could also be used to fund the ongoing costs of new facilities in the city centre such as public toilets and a new tourist information point.

The area would involve over 600 business premises that are eligible to vote and cover an area stretching from Bedford Place to the waterfront and bordered by Southampton Central Station and Southampton Solent University.

It sets to follow the lead set by more than 200 BIDs operating nationwide - including in Winchester.

Go! Southampton steering committee chairman Brad Roynon told the council cabinet that the BID would generate £5million over its five year term but that it aims to generate an extra 25 per cent of additional funding from other private and public funding sources by 2021.

Afterwards he said he is "delighted" at the council's acceptance and added: "It is a important milestone.

"To get to this point we have conducted a thorough and detailed survey of the local business community within the proposed area and we have gained a large amount of support."

He pointed out the city is welcoming major landmark developments such as WestQuay Watermark and the Cultural Quarter, with developments in the pipeline including the Bargate, East Street and waterfront developments.

He added: "Southampton is going through a period of unprecedented opportunity.

"Go! Southampton will ensure that the city centre's businesses are positioned to capitalise on these new opportunities and create an outstanding reputation for the city centre, to compete at a regional, national and international level."

Vice chairman Tim Keeping, who is general manager of the Marlands Shopping Centre, stressed the BID signifies "long-term planning" working in partnership with others in the city and ensuring council and police services already provided are not duplicated.

He added: "It will help add value and and focus in those areas important to business."

Council leader Cllr Simon Letts said he is "impressed" with the BID proposals and said: "A successful BID will bring significant benefits to the city and will support the council's vision to make Southampton an even better place to do business, live and visit."

The BID proposals will be officially launched in mid-September ahead of a four week postal polling period from early October until Thursday, November 3.

The ballot results will be announced on Friday, November 4, with the organisation operating from April next year if successful.