Covid: Bournemouth businesses lost during pandemic

We take look at a collection of those businesses that have sadly not made it through to the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Beales - Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s iconic Beales department store closed its doors for one final time in February 2020 after falling into administration.

Twelve other branches were closed at the time but the chain is now making a resurgence with a new store opening in Southport just this week.

Beales stocked a variety of goods from clothing to beauty products to homeware.

• Read more: Our six favourite pictures of Beales
• Read more: Beales site back in use? What developers have planned for the Bournemouth building

Buffalo - Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth

Lansdowne’s Buffalo bar shut down in June of last year following an announcement via Facebook.

The popular bar shut down for good in the initial few months of the pandemic, although a buffalo bar does still operate a bar in Winton

Described as a place for creative minds, musicians, artists, tattooists, and designers to drink, relax and create culture, no other business has since taken over the property.

Monty’s Lounge - Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth

One of Bournemouth’s most popular burger restaurants closed down at the end of last August.

After nearly eight years of being open, the restaurant closed down having served over 100,000 burgers.

News was announced via a post on Facebook at the time but no exact reason was given for its closure.

Debenhams - The Square, Bournemouth

The final Debenhams stores ceased trading for good in May this year, including the popular shop in the Square, after online retailer Boohoo acquired the brand for £55m but not the stores.

Debenhams followed Beales and previously Marks Spencers in ceasing trading in the town centre, leaving House of Fraser as the only current department store.

Future plans however will see a revival of the department store Bobby’s at the retail property.

Isabel’s - Ashley Cross, Poole

Popular restaurant Isabel’s did not reopen following the first lockdown last year after 40 years of trading.

Restaurants were allowed to open following the initial lockdown but with social distancing measures, Isabel’s proprietor Damien Williams decided this was not viable at the time.

Isabel’s offered a selection of quality French and Mediterranean food but trading profitability became increasingly difficult with the pandemic, Brexit uncertainty at the time, and rising costs.

Yo! Sushi - Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth

Japanese restaurant Yo! Sushi closed a series of its venues last August, including Bournemouth, to protect the overall future of the business.

The business announced the cuts, which led to 250 jobs being lost, as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

The sites that closed were no longer seen as financially viable with the nearest store no in Southampton.

TGI Friday’s - Tower Park, Poole

American chain restaurant TGI Friday’s closed its branch at Tower Park due to months of closure following the pandemic.

TGI’s serves a varied food menu inspired from across the pond and while the restaurant at the leisure complex shut, they still operate a venue in Bournemouth.

The Poole venue shut its doors for one final time last year following the initial lockdowns and closing in June.

Lost Paradise - Exeter Road, Bournemouth

Cocktail bar Lost Paradise was last seen trading prior to the lockdown in November but has since closed down and is currently boarded up.

Offering a chance to ‘experience the taste of Bali’, the venue was disregarded as a nightclub by the council so received no emergency funding last October.

Since then the bar has had to close as a result of the pandemic with the site currently vacant.

Valentino - Exeter Road, Bournemouth

Italian restaurant Valentino permanently closed after 32 years of serving Bournemouth.

A message was left on its Facebook page saying that the council had requested the site back for redevelopment, however, they were due to open last July and August but could not do so as it would have been difficult to comply with social distancing.

The property still remains in place and vacant on Exeter Road with no sign of redevelopment just yet.

Topman/Topshop - Castlepoint and Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth

Following the acquisition of the Topman/Topshop brand by Asos in February this year a series of stores were culled - including two in Bournemouth.

The popular fashion retailer was bought by Asos for £265m from administrators of the Arcadia group but confirmed it would not be taking over the shops.

Topman and Topshop once maintained a high presence on the high-streets across the country with its selection of clothing but now only features online.

Are there any other businesses on the streets of Bournemouth and the surrounding area that have sadly not made it through the pandemic and deserve a mention, please let us know?