Published on Wednesday 19 June 2024
Residents will have the opportunity to apply to rent a beach hut in Bournemouth this summer when Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council open waiting lists for the first time in seven years.
Bournemouth was the first place in the UK to have purpose-built beach huts. Their position on an award-winning seafront has meant waiting lists for each of the 15 locations along Bournemouth and Poole have been historically oversubscribed.
To manage this high demand the Bournemouth waiting lists were closed in 2017.
Since then, numbers on the waiting lists have significantly reduced, and the Council is now looking to reopen eight of the lists in Bournemouth.
The opening of the lists will be staggered over a few weeks and each list will be capped at 500 applications, to manage volume.
Terms and conditions for the waiting lists across Bournemouth and Poole huts have been updated to create a more consistent system.
BCP Council’s Head of Seafront Services Anthony Rogers said: “We are pleased to be reopening the beach hut waiting lists in Bournemouth for the first time in seven years.
“Our new management system aims to ensure an enhanced and consistent service for all residents.”
Beach hut applicants can choose to join any of the 15 beach area lists between Bournemouth and Poole. The cost to join each list is £50. Any specific health requirements, such as mobility issues, will be taken into consideration when huts are allocated.
Information relating to the joining process, eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions is now live on the Council’s website here or navigate to www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/beach-huts
The waiting list opening dates and times are:
- Tuesday 9 July at 11am - Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West
- Thursday 11 July at 11am - Boscombe East and Boscombe West
- Tuesday 16 July at 11am - Alum Chine and Durley Chine
- Thursday 18 July at 11am - Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne
Editorial notes
BCP Council operates waiting lists in 15 locations across Bournemouth and Poole.
There are no waiting lists in Christchurch, where huts are sold on the open market. Poole lists are already open, but will be closed for maintenance between 20 - 26 June.
Beach hut waiting lists will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and further changes may be enabled through the development of a new digital management system.
Link to Officer Decision Record here.