A PARADE of shops in West Howe have been spruced up to help the residents to take pride of the area that they live in.

Businesses along Cunningham Crescent have been given a new lick of paint after many years to brighten up the facade of the parade of shops which are used by the local community.

Cllr Roger Marley, who represents Kinson South for Bournemouth Council, said that he and his fellow ward councillors used money from a local improvement fund to purchase the paint with the help of Martha Searle, West Howe’s neighbour development officer.

He added: "We hope that the residents appreciate the work that is being done. We got together and thought that it would be nice for the shop fronts to be re-painted.

"We would like to think that it will make the residents happier about the area. The Henry Brown Youth Centre is currently being refurbished both externally and internally as well, so it all ties in well together.

"The youth centre will become an integrated centre to be used for community engagement. Now, to have the shops painted, will just enhance the whole area.

"Work on the centre should be done within the next three or four weeks. We really want to revamp the area for the residents to enjoy."

Cllr Marley added that the area also received two new bus shelters last year to improve the provisions for residents.

Back in 2014, residents were asked to help to develop a vision of for the area by the West Howe Regeneration Partnership, who had been working with the Design Council.

Teams of volunteers, known as ambassadors, were holding walkabouts in the area to hear the views from residents about what changes they would like to see. The scheme aimed to create better outside spaces by improving parks, streets and buildings.

An inspiration board was set up in West Howe Library, where residents were being invited to display any photographs they have of good or bad design, both from the local area and further afield.

Last year, Bournemouth Council announced that The Henry Brown Youth Centre was set to benefit from £100,000 worth of improvements more than 50 years after its doors were first opened. Works were set to include the main front entrance being replaced with separate entrances to the hall and the main youth club area, improved toilet facilities, and a change to the internal layout.