PLANS are under way for a new centre focusing on all things food atop the Sovereign Centre in Boscombe.

The disused roof top car park could become home to a brand new food centre as part of a new collaboration between the Sustainable Food City Partnership and Grounded Enterprises.

Grounded Enterprises is a community food growing initiative which began at St Clement's Church yard a few years ago. There they train people how to grow food in their own spaces at The Secret Garden.

About a month ago their training shed was engulfed in fire. It is believed that people were sleeping there and had started a fire on the floor. No one was hurt in the blaze but the incident did cause a minor set back to the group after they lost seeds, tools and a newly installed wood burner.

Now Grounded Enterprises is keen to develop food for all with their new partnership, following on from a successful event held last summer.

NCS volunteers transformed the rooftop into a community space with a herb and vegetable garden and a cafe for locals which proved something of a hit.

Michael French, of Grounded Enterprises, said: "The plan is to create a food centre which will bring people together around food, growing, buying, cooking and eating. Our funding bid will include a container cafe, and multi station cooking facility, a cooperative supermarket, kids play area and a diversity of raised beds.

"During this process we invited the Sustainable Food City partnership to come on board, as they have a very similar vision to our project. They are now partnering with us and leading on the funding application for a development on the roof.

"Boscombe Forum has already managed to get £3,000 for bee hives and suits. We will look to make the space sustainable with solar and wind power.

"Our hope is that it will inspire and gather the community as well as bring something amazing to Boscombe."

Peter Ruscoe, Sovereign Centre manager, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Grounded Enterprises and Sustainable Food City to create a roof garden on the top floor of the Sovereign Shopping Centre car park.

"The project is still in its early stages and its success is dependent on funding which [the partnership] are in the process of applying for.

"Currently we just have a small number of test growing beds to ensure that plants will flourish on the roof space.

"This could be an invaluable community space to support the aims of our partners and the Sovereign Shopping Centre, which goal is to be at the heart of the local community.”