A SEASIDE resort made popular in the Victorian era is set for a major revamp including a new community hub and park.
The town is set to undergo the works as part of a wider £23 million regeneration project for the area.
Chris Balcombe – The SunBoscombe, located on the South Coast near Bournemouth, is set to undergo a major revamp project[/caption]
SNUG ARCHITECTSA new community hub will be constructed as part of the area’s £23m regeneration project[/caption]
Boscombe, located in a suburb of Bournemouth, has a population of 21,000 and has long-established itself as a popular seaside destination.
The town has even earned the nickname Bos Vegas in more recent years.
Now the area is set to undergo an extensive regeneration project, which will see the construction of a new community hub in the town.
With the new centre, the council plans to create a social space which “belongs to the community”.
The area is earmarked for everything from indoor sports activities to socialising and private meetings.
It is set to feature two large community hall spaces, meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a large reception area, with space for a café.
The cost of the community hub is currently estimated at £4.1 million, while a new park is also planned for the town as part of the project.
Phase one of this masterplan will also see a revitalisation of the high street, with added green spaces and wider walkways.
Five retail kiosks, a health facility, and new housing are also planned for the town.
The planned work will also include four transport schemes to improve connectivity between the town centre, Pokesdown Railway Station, and the seafront.
This will help to create a connected and vibrant area for residents, businesses, and visitors, making journeys in and out of the area “easier, safer, and more attractive”.
According to the Bournemouth Towns Fund Better Boscombe Regeneration initiative, work will begin on the community centre in the coming months, with the hub set to open in April 2026.
And in the meantime, there is still plenty to do in this historic coastal town.
Boscombe has two main beaches and a variety of smaller ones, with the main town beach consisting of a sandy stretch.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of water activities, including surfing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking.
‘Downtrodden’ English ghost town where locals feel ‘left behind’ being turned into ‘vibrant’ shopping hub in £9m revamp
By Nicole Cherruault
A “DOWNTRODDEN” English ghost town is being turned into a “vibrant” shopping hub in a £9million revamp.
The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound “vision for change” after locals complained the town felt “left behind”.
More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town’s shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers.
Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a “downtrodden” town, reports Manchester Evening News.
The objective, the council said, is to create a “vibrant” and a “fit for purpose” centre for people to enjoy.
Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council’s top priorities.
And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners.
This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been “left behind” and it was in desperate need of some “drastic” improvements.
The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year.
However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre “remains open for business”, stressing that the works only affect a few areas.
He said: “Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today’s town centre remains open for business,” said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council.
“I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre.
“The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.”
Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community.
In a statement, he spoke of his “excitement” for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles.
He said “Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community.
“It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community.
“The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.”
Or if you prepare to stay on land, beach-goers can participate in volleyball, table tennis, and swingball on the sand.
The local pier, measuring 600 feet, offers stunning views of the coastal area.
History buffs can also take in the decades-spanning architecture throughout the town, including the Royal Arcade and St Clement’s Church, both of which date back to Victorian times.
The design of the new community centre is said to be a “contemporary interpretation of Boscombe’s historic Victorian character, making references to the double-height arches of nearby Royal Arcade”.
And for a more unique architectural experience, visit the local Boscombe Devil, a grotesque placed on a building facing the O2 Academy, formerly the Boscombe Theatre in the 1920s.
The idea was to show the local Christian ministry’s disapproval of the theatre opening on Sundays.
There are a variety of restaurants and gastro-pubs to choose from or you can make the short 6 minute drive to Bournemouth for more options.
You can opt to stay in one of the local hotels, with Bournemouth’s Ravensbourne Hotel offering rooms from just £65 per night during the peak summer season.
Chris BalcombeThe historic seaside town is also set to undergo regeneration work to its centre and seafront[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
