THE owner of a Bournemouth town centre shop which has recently closed has spoken out about the reasons for shutting up his business.
Wild Fish and Chips on the corner of Old Christchurch Road and Fir Vale Road closed about a month ago after its owner struggled with spiralling prices and dwindling customers.
Tarek Rehima opened his business in 2020 and said trade was “fantastic” for the first two summers – but said tourists left the town centre’s restaurants in favour of the new temporary ones along the seafront during the summer.
“Summer after lockdown I was making good money and we had lots of customers,” Tarek said.
“But after that, BCP Council allowed a lot of temporary shops and restaurants to be set up in the summer and it is killing the high street.
Read more: Wild Fish and Chips closes in Bournemouth town centre
“I pay high business rates, my rent is £55,000 a year – you wait for the summertime when tourists come down and hope trade then will pay for things.
“But the council allowed everybody to serve food from the beach so people would rather not come here and buy their food because it can be done at the beach.”
Tarek added he has struggled to fill empty vacancies with people who want to work and put in the hours.
“The only people who want to come here and work are those looking for 16 hours of work because they can claim benefits.
“I can’t run the business all by myself 24/7.
“Old Christchurch Road is also not a residential area. It has to rely on tourists to bring in the money.
“I’m a successful person and a fighter and I will carry on. But I will have to change the business. People like fast junk food – maybe that is what I have to do?”
Over the past few years Bournemouth’s town centre has seen several big retail names leave, including Lidl, Debenhams and Beales.
And recently, retailers and traders have hit out about the state of the town, with one recently closed restaurant owner saying Bournemouth was like a 'ghost town'.
“People understandably go to Castlepoint for their shopping; there’s free parking and a variety of shops for people’s needs,” he added.
The Daily Echo approached BCP Council for comment.
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