Entrepreneur Richard Carr has expanded on his plans to move away from the South Coast.

Just days after announcing that both his leisure and property businesses are in the hands of administrators, he told the Daily Echo: "I'm a bit tired of the problems I get when I'm here, the constant bickering and attacks.

"I will probably go to London. There are a lot of distressed bars and the market is much bigger. I can only do what I enjoy; creating things like nice bars and clubs."

Since the news that his bar and nightclub operation Future 3000 and property company Ravine Lifestyle have gone into administration, the 49-year-old, once constantly in the headlines, has kept a low profile.

After spending a weekend in Spain, he said: "I've got out of the way on purpose. There is always somebody who wants to have a go. It's a shame because people are attacking me for what has happened; it's not that I have wanted it to happen. I have created a lot of wealth and economic prosperity for the area.

"A lot of other people's livelihoods have been affected; staff with mortgages who are now worrying. It is a travesty for myself and for everybody in the organisation.

Speaking at Ravine Lifestyle's office in Canford Cliffs, the property developer said curtailing his lifestyle meant that his three-storey home in Lilliput would have to be put on the market.

"Let's not beat about the bush; I'm having to sell my own house. This is like a normal person having everything taken away from them except their motor car. It is a very serious situation.

"I can't afford the mortgage; I have to consolidate my position and get as much cash as I can get my hands on to buy a business. I have no income.

"I have worked tirelessly to save my companies and I'm obviously very upset but I'm a businessman and I have to be responsible for my actions.

"It is a significant blow to me; it's most of what I have got but I have to pick myself up and move forward. I have got to get sorted very quickly because I don't have any money."

He described property development as "a non-starter at the moment" and said all his interests had been tied up with building development and the leisure industry.

Ninety-five per cent of his personal wealth was invested in Future 3000 and Ravine Lifestyle.

"I was very bullish; I didn't see this coming," he admitted. "I have been down before in the early '90s and rebuilt the business. I'm 50 years old at the end of this year so I haven't got a lot of time but I will do it again."

Mr Carr pledged that flat schemes currently under construction would be completed and sold to repay the bank and other creditors, adding: "If any money is left after that I will pay myself."

He stressed that jobs at both companies were secure adding: "It is highly unlikely that any staff will lose their positions because of the administrations."

The realisation that his companies were in difficulties came last summer. He said: "The market was cooling on the property side. The credit crunch, particularly the inability of people to get mortgages, created a situation where the bank got to a stage where they felt uncomfortable.

"Future 3000 had cross guarantees with Ravine Lifestyle; it is unfortunate. I have regrets about the way I structured the business; with hindsight perhaps I would have secured one or the other. "

Mr Carr predicted that property prices would fall by another ten per cent adding: "I believe we will be in the doldrums until 2011.

"There are probably too many bars in Bournemouth. It is a highly competitive market."

He branded Bournemouth "tatty" and added that the town's tourist industry had been in decline for a long time.

"Other tourist towns in the UK have managed to move forward; Newquay is a very good example. The real problem is that Bournemouth has never had a business plan. Nobody ever really wants to accept that bars and clubs are important and employ a lot of people.

"There is no doubt that the tourist season has diminished dramatically. I've never thought the right way forward was drinking, drinking, drinking.

"There is far to much political interference with business in Bournemouth; I think that has destroyed the town. We carried on as if cheap flights and package holidays didn't exist. I don't think families want to come here; the days of seven or 14-day breaks have gone. Bournemouth is a weekend resort because it is so cheap to go elsewhere."

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