Seven new businesses have opened en route between Boscombe and Southbourne in recent weeks, encouraged by lower rent and rates offered in fringe areas of east Bournemouth.
At least five new businesses have opened in the past four weeks on Christchurch and Southbourne Road.
New businesses include: The Juice Lounge (nutritious food and drinks), the Bikram Yoga Centre, The Crooked Book (bookshop/cafe), Grove Studio (arts) and MAD (music arts and drums) as well as a deli and a fishmongers. In addition, ‘Codfathers,’ a fish and chip shop, is under new management, and a new venture, ‘The Good Play Cafe‘ – a cafe for kids and parents – is being fitted for opening soon.
New business confidence appears to be buoyant on the high street.
Ian Mathews, 40, of the 3 week old Bikram Yoga Centre on Christchurch Road, was first attracted to the area because of the potential to build his business. The rent on the building, per square foot, fitted the business plan both in terms of overheads, and in how many people the space holds.
Small business owners talk about what has attracted them to the area in the video below:
Previous articles on The Breaker suggest that local initiatives backed by government finance have helped rejuvenate empty shops.
For news on a grant scheme for redundant shops in Pokesdown click here.
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Business support: Southbourne
Business support: Boscombe
Main Image: Marc Perry
