BUSINESSES are gearing up for a fringe event that will make Southbourne a stopping point for the Bournemouth Wheels Festival.

Following the inaugural event last year, many suburbs, including Southbourne, called to be more involved.

At this year’s festival – taking place between May 29 and 31 – Southbourne will now be hosting its own share of the action, funded by the Coastal Business Improvement District (BID).

There will be interactive stunt demonstrations, motor pageants and street entertainment on the Saturday, as well as vintage cars, Supercars and freestyle mountain bike stunt team, Savage Skills.

Samantha Acton, former chair of Southbourne-on-Sea Business Association, said: “This is very much an event for local people in the Southbourne area – a free festival that will bring something for everyone.

“We want people to realise that Southbourne is a great place to visit and spend time. This will be the first year that we will be hosting Wheels in Southbourne and we hope that it will be the first of many.”

Businesses in the area being encouraged to stay open later on the day, and those within the road closure area will be putting pavement stalls outside their shops to increase the festival atmosphere.

There will also be a Wheels Festival-themed window display competition, which many businesses along Southbourne Grove will be participating in.

James Fowler, owner of the Larder House, said: “We are really looking forward to Wheels in Southbourne. It will be good to have a bit of hustle and bustle and to see the high street alive during the evening.

“We shall have a pop-up restaurant out on the pavement and will be putting on a few special dishes and drinks to entice visitors and keep them well-fed and watered.”

This year’s Wheels Festival programme is now available. Visit bournemouthwheels.co.uk, where there is also a full list of stockists.