RESIDENTS and businesses at the Triangle in Bournemouth are expecting a revival to continue after more traders moved in.

New cafes, shops, a language school and other businesses moved into empty sites in 2013 and neighbourhood watch stalwart Norman Decent said the area has continued to improve.

“What has happened is what we’ve all been hoping for,” he said.

“It’s fantastic the way people have been looking to move in here.”

Mr Decent, co-ordinator of Poole Hill Neighbourhood watch, said he also receives fewer complaints about crime.

In 2010 Bournemouth council completed a £274,000 revamp of the public space at the Triangle with new trees, a grassy area and seating around a public space available for markets and events.

A Tesco Express store opened and many have credited the Flirt cafe with helping a revival of the area at the top of Commercial Road.

Last year other new additions included a children’s play centre on St Michael’s Road, a vegetarian cafe and the eurostudies language school.

The film company White Lantern Film moved in on Poole Road and Amigo Loans moved into the ground floor of the Nova Building, which had sat empty since it was completed on the site of the former C&A store in 2009.

The opening of Starbucks was seen as another major addition and Rob Hazell, co-owner of Cafe Flirt, pictured right, said that has only added to the area’s appeal.

“We’ve always felt that since we moved into the Triangle it’s taken on a new lease of life and that just seems to be continuing,” he said.

“It’s interesting because I think businesses have been inspired to move in by the increased foot traffic and the atmosphere.”