WHAT would you like to see open at Castlepoint?

We asked people on the Daily Echo’s Facebook page and more than 2400 people responded.

This came after a report on the co-owner of the retail complex selling its share in the site.

The shopping park is now entirely owned by a joint venture between Delancey and Columbia Threadneedle Investments and they have said there is likely to be a review of the "tenant mix".

Castlepoint is one of the UK’s largest shopping parks, with 684,000sqft of retail space and more than 3,000 car park spaces on a 36-acre site.

Anchor tenants include Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Asda, B&Q and Next, alongside another 31 units from 1,500-15,000sqft.

Overwhelmingly the majority of people responded with IKEA or Primark as their suggestion.

Other suggestions included:

  • Urban Outfitters
  • Zara
  • Lush
  • Lego store
  • John Lewis
  • Disney Store
  • Savers
  • The Real Greek
  • Bowling
  • Cinema 
  • Greggs
  • Decathlon

The park, built on the site of the former Hampshire Centre, was completed in 2003.

It was shut without warning in December 2005 after cracks appeared in the concrete floor and columns of the car park. Netting and props were put in place and the car park was reopened in January 2006.

Work to address the problem finally began in 2019 and it is now onto the final phase with it due to be completed next year.

Here are a selection of comments in response to our question to readers on social media:

  • "I believe it should be turned into Bournemouth’s version of Gunwharf Quays or Clarks village. It would bring more people to the area to generate more income into the town."
  • "A cafe with live music that spreads into the open in fine weather. Anything that adds a bit of joy, beauty and soul to this stark place. A bridge that links the two (North and South) retail areas, I know, too expensive."
  • "Make it a designer outlet village and move all the current shops (except supermarkets) back into the town centre before Bournemouth centre completely dies! It’s dreadful!"
  • "A cinema, a restaurant, a soft play for kids, a gym, a theatre and many other interesting activities than just blowing money on shops"
  • "Maybe some independent shops that aren’t crazy expensive. They could take one of the larger units and rent out individual spaces inside to independent retailers. It would be nice to see something other than the usual suspects. A shoe shop would be good too."