Three successful local businesses, all already based in Boscombe, have won prestigious and lucrative contracts for retail and catering outlets in Boscombe, as part of the major £10 million regeneration project.

The refurbished Overstrand building will see “Urban Reef” restaurant and café, operated by the owners of boutique Boscombe hotel Urban Beach. “Sorted” will operate a surf shop and separate surf school within the Overstrand. Rob Shearman of Rob’s Event Catering will be bringing “Reefside” catering, newsagents and beach goods to Boscombe Pier entrance, as part of the ongoing seafront refurbishment.

The interiors of Urban Reef, Sorted Surf Shop and Reefside are currently being designed and will all open in April 2009. Building on the success of Boscombe’s regeneration scheme, the new facilities and services will complement the “surf pods” or super beach huts being created in the Overstrand. The Overstrand will also host an RNLI beach lifeguard station, public showers, toilets and changing facilities and events office.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member for Economy and Tourism said:

These selections were made at the end of an extensive tender process and each of these companies clearly demonstrated innovative approaches to customer service, facilities, and investment as well as a commitment to developing Boscombe as a quality resort in its own right.

We are delighted that successful local businesses proved to be the best for the job. The opportunities open to these companies are immense and we look forward to their opening next April. It is testament that local businesses have further recognised the potential that Boscombe has and are prepared to invest significantly and play their part in making that happen.

• December 08 – Work finished on Boscombe Pier Approach roads and roundabouts
• Jan/ Feb 09 – Release of first phase of super beach huts off plan
• April 09 – Urban Reef restaurant & cafe, Sorted Surf Shop and school, Reefside Catering open
• End Sept 09 – Weather dependant anticipated completion of surf reef

Press release courtesy of Bournemouth Tourism.

Work continues on Boscombe Pier as part of the Boscombe Spa Village scheme.

It includes the restoration and refurbishment of the recently listed Pier entrance building, the strengthening and decking of the pier neck, the removal of the Mermaid Hall and the addition of a shorter new T shaped pier end.

Click on the photos below to see how work is progressing!

Boscombe Spa Village is one of the key pilot projects outlined in Bournemouth’s new Public Art Strategy.

The Boscombe Spa Development will transform Boscombe Seafront into a unique year-round leisure amenity focused around the following key features:

• An £800,000 artificial surf reef
• Refurbished Boscombe Pier
• Landscaped piazza and events area in front of the pier linking the renovated Victorian Boscombe Chine Gardens and Shelley Park to the sea
• Revitalised Boscombe Overstrand complex incorporating surf themed shopping and tuition facilities, a ground and first floor restaurant with sea views, changing rooms, showers and 42 ‘super chalets’ available for day-time hire and lease.

Click on the thumbnail to view a development construction timeplan of the project.