Weather
Wave of interest in Boscombe's stylish surf pods (From Bournemouth Echo)
When news happens text pix and video to 80360. Start your message with BE then leave a space.
Get social with the Echo - click to find out how and where!
Wave of interest in Boscombe's stylish surf pods
7:50pm Friday 15th May 2009
WAYNE Hemingway could hardly contain his excitement. And who would begrudge him?
Within minutes of the first shots of his Boscombe beach pods being broadcast on TV, the phones at agents Savills had gone “absolutely mental”.
View our surf reef section for stories, the history of the surf reef, plus video and pictures of its development and how it works
See the Related Links at the bottom of this story
“It looks like it’s got off to one hell of a flyer,” he beamed as he formally opened the project.
Anyone who doubted the wisdom of asking this bespectacled icon of modern design and his equally talented wife, Gerardine, to rebrand the unloved 1950s pile that was Boscombe Overstrand will have to eat their words.
Hemingway, who grew up in Morecambe, blazed a fashion trail throughout the 1980s with his company Red or Dead, before going back to his first love – urban regeneration through design.
He and Gerardine were brought in to inject innovation and “wow” factor to the Overstrand building and they have – in spades.
There are 36 double and single spaces bursting with colour, fun and the best of modern British design, all housed in a 1950s building that was dying of neglect.
Equipped with kitchens for which Formica produced a new “fish” pattern, rubber safety floors and deckchairs and windbreaks featuring more Hemingway design magic, the pods are sensational.
Hemingway had lavish praise for instigators Bournemouth Borough Council.
“I think the biggest round of applause should go to Bournemouth council,” he said, praising the authority for “sticking to this and doing something that lifts the seaside out of its torpor”.
Wayne’s enthusiasm extends to the Surf Reef, the Urban Reef restaurant and the regeneration of Boscombe Pier.
He believes the initiative is “probably the best regeneration scheme that’s going on in Britain” and is convinced it will win awards “because it’s so sympathetic”.
It’s certainly more impressive than a certain other resort that tried to rebrand itself this week...
“A couple of weeks ago I was in Blackpool and I left the place absolutely depressed,” he says.
More News stories
- Is this the end for static speed camera funding?
- Man who drugged and suffocated dog then buried it could face jail
- Dolphin pod sighted off Studland
- Daughter's loving tribute to Pokesdown stab victim
- Police step up patrols over fears attacker is maiming horses
- Average speed zone trialled at Poole school
- Families join Parkstone child centre protest
- There is talent across Townsend Estate
- Cyclist died after falling from bike
- Friends' Dartmoor challenge to help Shelterbox
Your Say YourEcho
Chris..., says...
11:59pm Fri 15 May 09
Perhaps I am wrong but I thought there was 54 up for grabs. If there are 36, and even giving them the full price of £90,000, this equates to £3.2m which the news report reported that this would cover the overspend. I do not think so. The over spend is more than 3 times that amount.
I also thought the idea of the pods with utilities etc was unlike beach huts one could stay overnight. However this is not the case, not allowed. Pay 90 grand and not allowed to stay.
I wonder if any buyers from outside of town realise this and know they will have to book a hotel for the nights.
Gastines, St.Malo says...
7:34am Sat 16 May 09
nigel24, Bournemouth says...
9:26am Sat 16 May 09
beachcomber1, Toft zigzag says...
10:13am Sat 16 May 09
Trifecta, Southbourne says...
11:43am Sat 16 May 09
Whereas the journalist who wrote this piece of "puff" will not have to because there is no attributation.
How often does that happen ?......
sollie, says...
1:56pm Sat 16 May 09
Who in their right mind would pay £90k for a beach-hut? Even an MP would think twice about claiming (oops spending) that.
Keep an eye on the sales. bet you they will still be unsold in 6 months and the homeless figure would have gone up as well!
cooperman, bournemouth says...
4:12pm Sat 16 May 09
Nick2, Bournemouth says...
7:49pm Sat 16 May 09
They are still beech huts. Close to the sea!
Who doesn’t want one of those?
It doesn’t matter if the are now called “Pods”. All you have to do is paint over those ghastly 50’s pictures and you have a nice beech hut. Two years ago these were going for £100,000+, so £90,000 is not bad at all!
Chris..., says...
10:54pm Sat 16 May 09
The whole Boscombe Spa fiaasco is just that. nothing but a fiasco. Where is Dunlop, Brown and Co now.
Nick2, Bournemouth says...
11:05pm Sat 16 May 09
So, what is the difference?
Chris..., says...
5:27pm Sun 17 May 09
Nick2 wrote:I said utilities Nick2, ie, Gas and Electric fitted, which they did not have before. If you look back to the outset of the Boscombe Spa project it was perceived that these Surf Pods would be, at that price, a place to stay. As I pointed out, just like your DAD's Beach Hut, you cannot stay overnight.
I have a beech hut. (ok, my dad’s). He paid for the hut and pays ground rent. We have a Callor Gas cocker ring in there.
So, what is the difference?
For £90,000 or more, I would at least expect to be able to stay over night, and not have to travel to Boscombe and then find hotel accommodation.
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
12:12am Mon 18 May 09
Poor old stiffy, faithful to the last to his master's voice.
The believe that we are all so simple as to swallow the idea that 30 or more mugs have signed on the dotted line to hand over 90 grand without waiting for a surveyor's report or going through a solicitor is ample evidence of the contempt coming out of the Town Hall.
Why would anyone wish to cough up for something that you are paying a hefty premium for simply to have some 1930's holiday camp theme plastered all it. Curiously the Echo didn't actually mention the dimensions of these wendy houses.
As to no sales it was a comment to reflect the whole Moneycomb scam - not just the playpens.
Though not so curious to read is stiffy trying to deflect the argument by claiming that I prefered the original complex. Please state where I said that stiffy ? I did not.
What I might ask is who let these buildings fall into disrepair and MORE IMPORTANTLY why.
And why no comment on the lack of parking ? Why no comment of the surf greef again failing yet another deadline ?
Or have the council not told you what to say on this matter ?
Mediclogan5, Bournemouth says...
6:05am Mon 18 May 09
Chris..., says...
4:52pm Mon 18 May 09
The whole fiasco is a waste of space and our money. Should all take up Moat Cleaning, there is more money in it.
pete woodley, bournemouth says...
5:47pm Mon 18 May 09
Chris... wrote:Stop being jealous,they are not meant for locals anyway, but MP'S and councillors could afford them.Or senior town hall staff.
The latest news at lunchtime indicated that 12 of the double surf pods, and 1 single surf pod had been sold. Thats 13 out of how many 54. Thats only 24% of all.
The whole fiasco is a waste of space and our money. Should all take up Moat Cleaning, there is more money in it.
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
9:07pm Mon 18 May 09
from whom stiffy, from whom we all cry ?
THE POD COUPLE: Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway in one of the refurbished beach hut modules at Boscombe. Note the Punch and Judy design on the deckchair (right)
INSIDE STORY: This eye-catching mural features a beach belle and her admirers
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
boardstiff, Boscombe Spa says...
11:02pm Fri 15 May 09