BID Business Plan 2017-2022 ONLINE

Bournemouth
TODAY & TOMORROW
Bournemouth is the south coast’s premier leisure, business and educational coastal
resort, famous for its year round hospitality and 7 miles of award-winning sandy
beaches. It has also established itself as a creative, digital hub, headquarters to a variety
of prestigious companies and a university town. Vibrant and cosmopolitan, it is the
largest conurbation in Dorset.
The last few years have witnessed huge investment of over £200m from both the public
and private sector. These include new homes, university accommodation and teaching
blocks, two hotels and a major retail/food and drink offer in the town centre. Other
potential projects include a further four new hotels, the development of the Bath Road
car parks as a ‘cultural quarter’, more flats and apartments.
THESE INVESTMENTS HAVE BROUGHT NEW VISITORS,
MORE RESIDENTS AND A GREATER POTENTIAL FOR
THE COASTAL VILLAGES TO EXPLOIT.
The trading districts have
mirrored the national trend
of a decline in the number
of retailers with the switch
to food and drink outlets
alongside other service
providers (e.g. hairdressers,
barbers, beauty).
Tourism remains the single
most important sector
accounting for 15% of the
local economy and bringing
in over £501m per year from
6.88m visitors. The majority
of the 16,500 beds are
located on the East and
West Cliffs.
An on-going challenge is to
realise the opportunities for
attracting these visitors to
explore the coastal villages
with their distinctive
character, which
complement and add to the
overall offer of the town.
“The BIDs have played a
major part in helping to
make Bournemouth a
vibrant place to do business.
They have the financial
resources to deliver a range
of projects which benefit
local businesses.”
PETER MATTHEWS
Past Chair, BCTC
“Partnership working has
been, and will continue to
be, crucial to the ongoing
development of
Bournemouth. The BIDs
have already made a
significant contribution –
and we look forward to
working with them in the
future.”
TOBY MARDEN
Bournemouth
Development Company
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