Royal Arcade businesses 'being forced out' by council

Business owners in Boscombe’s Royal Arcade are worried all their “hard work” will be for nothing if the council goes ahead with its regeneration project. 

Although yet to be bought, the council has lodged plans to redevelop the arcade into a food hall and offices. 

This would mean the existing businesses would have to move out – something they are not happy about. 

The Royal Arcade (Image: Daily Echo)

Jenny Ayling, a barista and cook at The Well café, said the facility is “valuable” to the community by offering support to the homeless, those suffering from mental health issues and housing problems. 

She said: “It’s a shame the council wants to do this as we are a local business supporting local people.

Read more: Boscombe Royal Arcade could become home to food court

“We are a base for homeless people, we help Ukrainians, we are seen as a community hub and we have started to make it a bit more lively. 

“I can’t see why they want to kick us out... it makes no sense. 

The Well Cafe's Jenny Ayling (2nd from left) and Ola Suddrey (right) (Image: Daily Echo)

“This is a fantastically beautiful building and there is so much history to it. We don’t want the council to turn it into something generic like Castlepoint. It’s good to have our individuality.” 

Café manager Ola Suddrey, originally from Ukraine, added: “The council won’t be bringing life into this and they should be supporting local businesses and its people.”

Read more: BCP Council to do surveys of Royal Arcade ahead of purchase

Penny Hansford moved her business, The Art Bunker Studio, into the arcade about eight months ago and intends to stay “permanently”. 

She said: “We have put a lot of time and effort into this business. We’ve been working hard to get this together for the local community, not just tourism which the council seems to focus on more.  

Penny and Philip Hansford of The Art Bunker Studio (Image: Daily Echo)

“The local people don’t want it [a food hall]. Where are they getting their money from? I can’t see it being a success.  

“There are enough office spaces empty in Bournemouth, and we have plenty of food places around here, too.”

Read more: 'Boscombe food hall plan is an affront to those struggling'

Debbie Wood, owner of The Feathered Nest, a boutique clothes store, added the council’s plans are a “waste of money when so many people are struggling to survive”. 

She said: “The council is going to shut us all down and they are already recruiting for new businesses.  

Debbie Wood, owner of The Feathered Nest (Image: Daily Echo)

“It’s all a load of poppycock. I don’t think it’ll ever happen, though; they won’t be able to put the lifts in a listed building.”

Meanwhile, Marnie Danson, who moved into her new shop Doggie Delights in August, said: “There are 15 little shops here and we are being forced out by the council with no relocation plan offered to us.

“Where are we going to go?

“This is my baby and the thought of all my hard work going is horrible, to find out from the plans that my shop will be turned into a bicycle stand.  

Marnie Danson, owner of Doggie Delights (Image: Daily Echo)

“I understand it needs regeneration and I have no objection to the offices being made on the first floor, but so much more can be done to Boscombe’s high street” 

Volunteer at Claire’s Collectables John Flintham added: “The council has other priorities it should be focusing on.  

“Shopkeepers here think it is a waste of time and money for the council. The plans are way behind already, they don’t even own the building yet.” 

John Flinton, a volunteer at Claire’s Collectables (Image: Daily Echo)

Currently, BCP Council does not own the building, however, the plans have been given the green light.

To buy and renovate the arcade, the council estimates it would cost it £11.54m. 

However, it was reported earlier this year that the scheme's costs had soared by more than £7m after it was confirmed that extensive structural and internal building works would be required.

A spokesperson for BCP Council said regular meetings have been held with traders since July 2022 informing them of its plans and that the "significant" issues with the arcade require work which will mean closing the building.

They said: "Every trader has been given an opportunity to express their business intentions, and on the purchase of the building going through, we would then be able to look at relocating them to other premises in the area.

"These shops currently operate on a part-time basis for around 20 hours per week. Our plans will see the arcade open seven days a week with activities for the whole community, while also providing business space for entrepreneurs in the area.

"We absolutely understand that this is an unsettling time for many of the traders.

"We would like all the arcade businesses to return when we re-open, and we continue to work with them all as we make plans to conserve this beautiful building."