Detailed and comprehensive revision notes on the regeneration of Boscombe. This resource covers: the decline of Boscombe, Boscombe’s socio-economic issues, deprivation, regeneration/rebranding schemes and an overview of the success/failures of regeneration, whilst providing specific details and s...
Boscombe Regeneration
Location
Boscombe is a suburb of Bournemouth located to the east of Bournemouth town centre. As of 2011 it has a population of 20,719.
Boscombe is an area of relatively high deprivation, especially compared to Bournemouth as a whole, which makes this area of
Bournemouth in need of regeneration.
Why did Boscombe Thrive and Decline?
● The development of Boscombe follows the Butler Model (figure 2).
● During the Victorian Era, there were changes to peoples’ holiday habits:
o Railways were starting to develop – people were able to travel further for their holidays.
o People had higher incomes – people could afford better holidays.
● People believed coastal areas to be the best place for holidays; therefore Boscombe became financially successful (stage
1 – discovery).
● Construction of houses/hotels/villas & attractions along the seaside (figure 3).
● Carried on into the late 1800s / early 1900s (stage 2 – growth/development).
● Boscombe became a very economically wealthy area (stage 3 – success).
● This success did not continue forever (stage 4 – problem/stagnation):
o 1970s/1980s: tourism habits changed again.
o Package holidays, mass tourism & cheap air travel became common.
o People had more choice for their holidays; they were not limited to stay in the UK.
o Places in Europe and the Mediterranean became available for holiday destinations.
● As a result, Boscombe began to lose its primary function/business (tourism).
● Declining passenger numbers lead to the closure of the main station (1965).
● The area fell into decline (stage 5 – decline).
● Population changes in the 1970s/1980s lead to changes to Victorian influences on the area.
● A very transient (impermanent) population replaced the previous tourist population that brought in money.
o These people stay for a few years and then leave.
o A sustainable area has a long-lasting homogenous community, something Boscombe did not have.
o Caused a significant increase in drug use – local government set up a number of drug rehabilitation centres in
this area.
● Decline continued into the 1990s until the Government started to make changes.
o They began to pedestrianise the main high street and open a shopping centre.
o All lead up to the Boscombe regeneration project.
o E.g. The Overstrand and pier were regenerated to encourage tourism back into the area.
Summary:
● Boscombe is located in the east of Bournemouth with a population of 20,719 and high levels of deprivation.
● Boscombe is a coastal settlement which had a thriving tourist industry during the Victorian era.
● Tourism habits changed during the 1970s/1980s – Boscombe suffered a loss of function.
● A transient population began to replace the tourist population that brought money into the area.
● There was a significant increase in drug use.
, Boscombe Regeneration
Boscombe’s Function
Water Sports:
● These are an important part of the local economy.
● The Boscombe surfing reef is the first artificial surfing reef in Europe (costing £3 million)
Boscombe Chine Gardens:
● Terraced Clock Café
● 18 hole mini-golf course
● Fully enclosed children’s play area
Shopping:
● There is a Victorian Royal Arcade hosting regular vintage markets by the sea.
● The Sovereign Shopping Centre both independent shops and major brands.
● Open-air markets are held at various points in the year. Stalls sell local produce, arts and crafts and clothing.
● There are many antique and bric-a-brac shops in Boscombe’s antique valley.
Data on Shopping:
● Non-grocery amounts to £293m annually within the catchment area.
● Tourists contribute a further £58m in addition to this figure.
● The home location of 75% of the shoppers in Boscombe is in the Inner Segment. 15% are located in the Outer segment.
The remaining 10% do not live within the catchment area.
Transport
● In 2016, 44.4% of households did not have access to a car in the Boscombe West Ward (28% in Boscombe East).
● Pokesdown station serves Boscombe.
● Those of a state pension age or with certain disabilities can apply for a free bus pass.
● Public transport is not perceived to be a problem. In 2017, an opinion survey by Bournemouth Borough Council, only
6% of Boscombe residents thought public transport was the factor of their local area that needs the most improving.
Global Connections
● The Sovereign Shopping Centre contains hopping brands such as Burger King, Halifax, Marks & Spencer and
Deichmann
● The majority of visits involve domestic tourism.
Survey of visitors to the Coastal Activity Park in Boscombe (June and August 2014):
The Coastal Activity Park “offers a wide variety of water and beach based activities … plus a comprehensive events programme”
● In August 2014, 49% of visitors were on holiday in the area.
● 38% of tourists staying in Bournemouth stayed in Boscombe.
● 35% of day visitors spent more than 2 hours in Boscombe.
● 25% spent between 2 and 3 hours at the sea front with 14% staying for more than 5 hours.
Summary:
● Boscombe’s main function is tourism – income is generated through activities such as water sports and shopping.
● Although roughly half of the population do not have access to a car, transport is not perceived to be an issue in Boscombe by the
population.
● There are a few global brands present in the Sovereign Shopping Centre.
● Most visitors in Boscombe were on holiday, with a third of all tourists in Bournemouth staying in Boscombe.
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