Levelling Up funding for seafront investment

In March 2023, we were awarded £19.9 million in Levelling Up Funding from the government, to be invested across our seafront.

The programme of planned investments has been created as a result of a public consultation in 2021 with 4,000 stakeholders and community members. This led to the Seafront Strategy adopted in April 2022.

We matched the Seafront Strategy to the criteria for the Levelling Up Fund, which led us to the following objectives for the investment programme:

encourage the growth of the visitor economy beyond the existing tourist hotspots by providing new reasons to visit other parts of the coast
improve and upgrade facilities on and access to the promenade, especially those close to areas of deprivation
upgrade and improve infrastructure in disrepair to provide facilities for use by local communities and tourism development
provide infrastructure and outline plans required to develop the visitor economy leading to improved job outcomes and income

We anticipate a number of benefits and outcomes of the investment, including:

better well-being and healthy life scores for local residents
reduction in deprivation by improving facilities and access to the seafront for local people and visitors
improved satisfaction of visitors and residents with our seafront and surrounding areas
increase in number of local visitors using the promenade, especially those from deprived communities
placemaking – establishing pride in place for the local community and local businesses
employment creation and safeguarding
Heritage Trail extension, drawing visitors to explore more of the coast and its heritage sites - which may lead to less overcrowding in existing hot spots
extension of the visitor season, and attraction of new audiences
increased footfall along the beach especially at parts that were quieter previously
increased visitor spending at specific sites along the waterfront
crime reduction benefits through creating a public area along that coast that is more welcoming
walking and cycling trips along the improved routes
increase in the land's financial and social value, both for the sites themselves and the surrounding areas

Key areas for investment

We have set out a number of key projects to which this funding can be applied. Implementing these are dependent on the final scope of the funding and instruction from government.

Further detail on the individual projects and progress will be updated onto our website in due course.

Upton Country Park

We will improve the bridge and cycle paths to secure the only off-road access route that links the town to important open space.

Hamworthy Seawall

We will secure access to green open spaces in Hamworthy by repairing the seawall.

Coastal Heritage Trail

We will develop several cultural experiences along the coast.

Alum Chine, Boscombe Pier and Holes Bay

We will invest in cultural heritage and regeneration opportunities at Alum Chine, Boscombe Pier and Holes Bay Visual Arts Centre.

The Strand

We will improve access, amenities and wellbeing along the promenade.

Promenade infrastructure

We will upgrade dated or missing utility infrastructure as well as digital communications along the promenade.

Bournemouth Lifeguard Corps training and education centre

We will provide new facilities for safety, wellbeing, training and job creation.

Bournemouth Pier

We will start works that secure this key heritage asset and retain coastal jobs.

East Cliff

We will start works to regenerate brownfield site with job creation and new facilities.

Toilet blocks

We will upgrade temporary toilet blocks and those in disrepair to improve access to facilities.

Beach huts

We will repair and rejuvenate dated beach huts to improve the public space, increase security and attract visitors.

Funding application form documents

Our funding application form documents are available to view and download:

Visit the BCP Seafront website for updates on current projects.

Seafront projects