WE have visited Bournemouth regularly since the 1970s but were very disappointed to stay this Christmas week.

We went to Australia and New Zealand with Austravel and always visit their shop. First shock was they were no longer there. We then went to Borders, which we have enjoyed in Bournemouth and America.

Second shock, was that they were not there and the replacement is an unexciting ubiquitous supermarket.

By then we thought we would seek refuge in a lovely pub restaurant with a beautiful view of the coast from Boscombe to Old Harry Rocks, the pier and the BIC etc.

The third shock was that the Harbour Lights pub and the whole Imax building had been closed by the council. On returning to our hotel, we were told that the fourth floor of the building was to be removed at great cost. Nobody could understand why and shared our disappointment.

Will we visit Bournemouth again? If the Imax and its pub are ruined the answer is ‘definitely never.’ We now understand why so many are so critical of Bournemouth Council.

MR & MRS SCOTT, Eastbourne