The Boscombe Spa Village regeneration scheme has won a top national award, celebrating the success of the council’s regeneration goals.

The award was announced by the Local Government Chronicle Awards in recognition of the multimillion-pound redevelopment which includes the restored pier, improved public open space, restored Victorian Gardens, beach pods, restaurants, shops, a surf school and the artificial surf reef.

This is the second national award presented to Bournemouth Council in recent weeks. Boscombe Pier was recently voted the National Piers Society’s ‘Pier of the Year 2010′.

Since completion, the regeneration scheme has created 91 new long term jobs. Visitor numbers have increased by 32 per cent and incidents of anti-social behaviour down 40 per cent.

Leader of the council Stephen MacLoughlin congratulated all involved in the regeneration, saying:

I don’t believe we would have won this award without the support of local entrepreneurs who have believed and invested in the seafront.

Anyone who has been to the pier, gardens, prom or Overstrand in the last six months will have seen the changes and felt the amazing unique vibe that is now Boscombe seafront.