BOSCOMBE residents, as well as people living across Bournemouth and further afield have had their say on the multi-million pond plans to revive Boscombe high street.

Consultation has begun on the proposed bid for the government’s Towns Fund, which includes the complete replacement of the Sovereign shopping centre and the repurposing of the Royal Arcade as the cultural centre of the high street.

Following the publication of the plans in the Echo yesterday, the article received over 180 comments on social media, plus almost 100 comments on our website.

Whilst some locals have hailed the £25 million proposal, others say that that plans will price residents out of the area, leading to a further disparity between Boscombe citizens.

Amber Kamika Brown said: “I welcome the change; it could be so much more of a friendly social hub if plans go through.

“The concept art looks much better than the out of date looking Sovereign centre.”

Ian Rothwell added: “It is another example of gentrification. It looks like it’s for the people of Boscombe, but the reality is that it will drive them out by making Boscombe unaffordable for them to live there.

“I’m all for improving Boscombe, but it’s not done by gentrifying gimmicks, it’s done over a long period of time, with a commitment to investment in people and not portfolios.”

Many have said that the plans overlook the underlying issues of the area, namely unemployment, crime rates and drugs use, with others saying that the money should be put to better use.

Caroline Drayson said: “This will just move the crime, drugs and prostitution across to Springbourne. It will be great for a short time and then the criminal element will return again.

“Why not work out from the centre, the town end of Holdenhurst Road is being made more fancy, do the full road to King's Park.

“There is plenty of residential area there and making a main route into town cleaner and tidier would be beneficial.”

Peter Bulteel added: “Do you honestly think that right now during this pandemic - that some seem to think has just 'disappeared' that we should even be looking at this?

“The £3.6 billion grant should be scrapped altogether. The high street is slowly but surely dying. Shops are going bankrupt, people are losing their jobs.

“We are in a recession. The £3.6 billion could and should be spent somewhere else where it's mostly needed.”

The vast majority of commenters believe that the plans are over-ambitious and not in keeping with the heritage of the area.

“A lovely continental style living experience where wine can be sipped alongside a basket of bread, served by a skilled waiter is not going to happen,” said Sheila Janner.

“The area is teaming with the unemployed and unemployable. Jobs and services are what is needed,” she added.

Andrew Manning said: “This building completely ignores the heritage of the area.

“Look at the lovely shapes of the opera house and surrounding buildings. Think about the nearby beach and pier, the elephants that used to march through the street.

“I’m not saying make it look old, but let the past inform the future. No number of trees will disguise that this is just another big expensive white box.”