Maritime Day in Poole could be ‘on a par with Bournemouth Air Festival’

Maritime Day is celebrated on May 20 each year and as well as a two day conference attracting the world’s leading maritime experts, a festival and the chance to showcase one of the world’s largest natural harbours, it could also open the door to European funding.

Borough of Poole has submitted a bid to hold the prestigious, economy-boosting event after 2014 and will learn if it has been successful at the end of July. This year it is being held on Malta and since it began in 2008 has been staged at Gothenburg, Gdansk, Rome and Brussels.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet member for the local economy, said: “We are very optimistic. It would be incredibly prestigious for Poole.”

Poole has put forward four possible themes for the selection panel to choose from.

The two day conference, attended by 1,500 experts, followed by a three day sea festival, would cost around £450,000, with half from the EU and the other half from private sponsors.

“It’s definitely on a par with the Bournemouth Air Show,” said Cllr Dion. “It would attract a huge number of people. We could really celebrate our maritime heritage in a way we have never done before.

“This is a time to bring in the tall ships, flotillas, a pageant, international shipping, yacht and power boat racing, interactive maritime events, nautical festivals and so much more.”

Adrian Trevett, economic development manager, said: “The EU budget for the UK between 2014 and 2020 is £6.1billion.

“A lot of that funding is going to be secured competitively.

“This gives us the chance to show them what a great place Poole is and help all the people who are looking for EU funding from throughout the area. The right people will be here to lobby.”

Cllr Dion, who has been working on the bid for some time, said it would be a great boost for the town’s hotels, guest-houses, bars and restaurants as well as the many maritime businesses and concerns.