PLANS to “brighten up” and improve the town centres in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) will be discussed this week.
BCP Council is considering proposals to jet wash pavements, install planters and local artists’ artwork in public areas, enhance street lighting and create a variety of events – all designed to draw more people into the town centres.
Multiple projects to improve the three town centres will be considered at the next meeting of BCP Council’s Cabinet this Wednesday (October 2).
Bournemouth Coastal and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and Christchurch Town Council were asked to submit proposals to help deliver long term benefits to the town centres.
Also encouraged were projects which would seed fund new ideas and unlock new opportunities that improve the look, feel and safety of each town centre as well as improving digital infrastructure.
Council leader of BCP Council, Millie Earl, said “Investing in our town centres is a high priority for us, and we’re really pleased to be able to provide this one-off funding for projects that will deliver long term benefits to the town centres of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
“This is about enabling our partners to create and deliver these inspiring projects, and I am excited to see how they will add to the ongoing positive work to revitalise our three town centres.”
Having received a one-off additional revenue grant from government in February, the council approved £358,000 to work with partners on projects that lead to long term improvement in the town centres.
This finance is set to be boosted by over £98K in match funding from the BIDs on most of the projects. There will be no additional or ongoing revenue pressure to the council.
Zebra crossing near M&S
Christmas lights on Barrack road by Req leading into town. Maybe as seat or two in the high street and along Barrack road
More seating with planters
Painting walls in towns won’t bring people into towns. Stop wasting our money.
It can only be business rates that are preventing businesses starting up! Try dropping them and see what happens
Take a trip to the Furlong in Ringwood- great shops and nice atmosphere. That’s sorely lacking in Christchurch- there are no decent shops to bring people in.
Christchurch High Street should be pedestrianised it works great on market day.
Make the high street rates lower to attract nice businesses so we have shops that are attractive to families and teens. Too many food shops and charities very little attractive shopping opportunities
Look at ringwood furlong brings people in , busy every day
I have lived in Christchurch all of my life and noted how lacking it is your building more homes however more shops, and brighter area needed, or people like me, go else where
Surely we need to get away from this idea we must have more shops big or small.Plans for town centres such as list think more of the than providing yet shops to stand empty.Lowing the rates would surely some of the shops we have to remain
Surely we need to get away from this idea we must have more shops big or small.Plans for town centres such as list think more of the than providing yet shops to stand empty.Lowing the rates would surely some of the shops we have to remain
Look at Ringwood for an example.
Christchurch should be modelled more on Ringwood and Wimborne, Lower business rates to encourage new outlets. More consistent shop signage would make the high street look more elegant. Take the parking charge back down to £1 for 2 hours. A spruce up will help the aesthetics but it needs to go a little deeper. I am hoping the new housing on the old police station site will help footfall in the town and encourage new business.