A MAJOR initiative to boost in-store experiences in Bournemouth town centre has been launched.

The 10-month Improving Experience Project was unveiled at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium by the Bournemouth Town Centre BID which is funding the project with support from BCP Council.

Eleven non-competitive levy paying businesses from the retail and hospitality sectors have joined a new “peer to peer” board.

It will meet once a month for nine sessions, all at the Vitality, to discuss a range of key issues and innovative ways of delivering even more on customer service.

The sessions are being chaired by Susannah Brade-Waring of Aspirin Business Solutions. Paul Kinvig, Town Centre BID chief operating officer, said: “It was a great start and the businesses have already formed a cohesive group. One of the key points from the first session was that businesses need to be innovative and nimble and work in local centres and with communities.

“The future of our town and city centres as far as retail and hospitality is concerned lies with independents and independent thinking.”

Mr Kinvig added: “When we conducted our extensive visitor survey, it was clear that an exceptional customer experience was really important to people.

“This eminently practical and more importantly visitor-driven initiative is another example of how we are working alongside our businesses to help create the conditions for them to be successful.”

One of the businesses involved is Ashes Menswear. Joint owner Luke Dennison, said: “It’s a great idea, pulling together people with different ideas and experiences. You can always learn something and it might just be one thing to help you develop and move forward.”

Another is Lush, whose Bournemouth store manager, Charlotte Mills, said: “Being a part of the Peer to Peer Board Journey with Bournemouth Town Centre BID is really exciting. It’s going to be rewarding working and learning alongside other locals retailers and hospitality industries within the Bournemouth town centre. I can’t wait to see what happens in 10 months time with our collective customer experience from the peer learning supported by the Bournemouth BID.”

Cllr Philip Broadhead, BCP portfolio holder for regeneration and economy said: “Working in partnership with the Town Centre BID is an important part of our ongoing commitment to help businesses bounce back and thrive in the new way of operating that we are experiencing.”