Published on Wednesday 28 June 2023
What would you like to see and do in Bournemouth town centre? What would make you come into town more often and stay longer?
That’s what BCP Council would like to find out in a new survey of residents to be launched today (Wednesday 28 June).
The revitalisation and rejuvenation of Bournemouth town centre is a top priority for the new Three Towns Alliance administration.
And key to making that happen is what residents think and want.
Cllr Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, said: "I made it clear in my first speech as leader in May that Bournemouth town centre would be a real focus for us.
"We know it needs significant improvement and investment and we are determined to deliver that.
"Bournemouth is such a lovely place in a superb location and with enormous potential, but like other seaside resorts and many other places across the country, it faces big challenges which the council cannot tackle alone.
"We want Bournemouth town centre to be a place where people want to be, somewhere that attracts new businesses and visitors, somewhere we can all feel proud of. We need to think differently to create a town centre for the future and we want to work with you, our communities, to do this work.
"We know residents have lots of ideas so please tell us – what would you like to see in the town centre, which bits do you love the most? Whether you live in the town, come to work in the town, visit for leisure or perhaps don't visit the town; your views count. I would like to hear all your ideas and thoughts so please get involved and let's work together to get it right for you."
Ideas and feedback shared through the survey will have a real impact on decisions in the months and years ahead and will be taken to a Town Centre Summit in autumn where an exciting, vibrant, attractive future for Bournemouth town centre will be mapped out and taken forward.
The Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Destination Management Board (DMB), universities, businesses, landlords and tourist agencies, will be a key part of the Town Centre Summit in autumn.
They will help create an exciting action plan to revive the town centre which will then be shared with residents to get involved and have their say.
Chairman of the Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Martin Davies said: "It is vital that residents across the area have the opportunity to input into the future of the town centre and share their ideas, particularly about what they would like to see and do in Bournemouth.
"However, the most important thing is that quick, decisive and tangible action from all parties involved, led by BCP Council, flows from the resulting summit."
Residents can share their ideas via a survey which asks what they would like to keep in the town centre, what they like about it and what they would see change.
The survey will also ask residents to share examples from places they have visited that they think could work in the town.
Results from previous surveys generated by BCP Council’s Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation and its Reimaging High Streets Consultation, plus results from its partners and BCP Future Lab, will also be brought into discussions at the autumn summit.
Residents can access the survey here.
Deadline to submit your ideas is Friday 4 August.