A NEW forum has been launched in Kinson to give the area a boost.

The new Kinson Business Forum held its first meeting on Tuesday after Ramesh Lal, who opened his KC Opticians store in Wimborne Road earlier this year, met with Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce president Mandy Payne and community development officer Martha Searle to look at ways to give Kinson a lift.

The forum’s first meeting focussed on how it can work to increase the amount of people shopping there, make the shopping areas more visually appealing and bring back a ‘village feel’.

Mandy said: “Ramesh is very active in bringing together and encouraging membership of the forum – which also gives you BCTC membership – our ‘two for one’ offer that extends to all our trading districts.

“I am very happy to work with Ramesh and Martha as they are both passionate and inspiring individuals who have a great vision for the area.

“This passion will hopefully encourage other traders to join and be part of this exciting journey.”

Kinson has been at the centre of a saga over Tesco moving in and redeveloping the main, currently run-down, precinct and it is hoped that the new association will help breathe new life into its shopping centre.

Martha added: “So many people bring their energy to help improve what Kinson has to offer residents and shoppers. It’s inspiring to be part of these exciting initiatives and I’d welcome members of the community and voluntary sector to get in touch with us with their ideas.”

Kinson joins Charminster, Southbourne, Westbourne, Moordown, Winton and Boscombe in having its own traders’ group.

Mandy said: “We at BCTC hope that Kinson Forum will soon be taking an active role in the area and will support them fully to do so.”