Shops should change their opening hours so as not to leave vistors to Bournemouth in a "social limbo" at the end of the day, says the president of the town's chamber of trade and commerce.

In a column for Dorset Business, Nigel Hedges says there is not enough for hotel guests to do between the shops closing and the night-time economy getting started.

He says: "This leaves our hotel guests in a social limbo, with shopping denied to them while at the same time starving restaurants and bars of steady footfall.

"Bournemouth has many festivals that will generate bed stays and our hotels are geared to be ambassadors for our town’s attraction. Shopping too is a tourism pursuit. So we must make sure we’re open."

Do you think later opening hours would help boost the town's economy? Let us know in the comments

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