Bournemouth residents are expressing enthusiasm over a 358,000-plan to revitalise the seaside town.
The initiative, endorsed at a cabinet meeting of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council last night, focuses on installing artwork, enhancing street lighting, and upgrading digital infrastructure to draw tourists and boost local engagement.
Councillor Andy Martin said: ‘”There’s so much negativity around Bournemouth town centre. If people were there [on the weekend, for the Art By the Sea Festival], they would have thought they were in a completely different place. It wasn’t a negative place, it was a safe, welcoming, vibrant, colourful place and that’s what town centres need.’’
While the plans have sparked excitement, they have also prompted varied reactions from the community. Carol, who works at Square Newsagents, said: “This used to be a vibrant town, but all the shops are now closed down. It looks dirty and horrible. People don’t come to town anymore.”
Stephanie Thompson, a regular visitor to Bournemouth, said she supported the council’s focus on new artwork. She said: “It’s a pretty colourful place, so it’ll be nice to see more artwork everywhere.”
Viv Jubb, general manager of South Coast Coffee, had a different view on how the council should use its funds. She said: “I think the top priority we should be looking at is the mental health crisis, the drug crisis and the homeless going on around here.
“You can put artwork to make it more appealing, but if you’re not dealing with the social issues here, I don’t think it makes a big difference.”
