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info@towncentrebid.co.uk 
Bournemouth businesses gathered at the Christopher Creeke Pub on 26th April as the Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District unveiled plans for a series of Lansdowne street markets
The Bournemouth Town Centre BID has announced plans for a series of monthly street markets set to start in September at an event hosted by the BID at the Christopher Creeke Pub in Lansdowne. The market will be named ‘Metropole Market’ after the area’s former historic hotel and represents further investment into the Lansdowne area following significant investment from Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth University, and private sector partners.
The BID has been working with businesses in the area for some time to define how the market can be best utilised to support local business needs and maximise benefits. By delivering the market, the BID aims to create a new and exciting attraction to add to the Lansdowne’s vibrancy and attract a new audience and extra revenues for Lansdowne businesses.
Lyn Turnbull, the co-owner of Mexigo in Holdenhurst Road and a BID board member said:
“Lansdowne is home to an impressive array of independent businesses, bars, cafes and offices. With big plans in place for the monthly market and some great local businesses already showing interest, we hope to attract more visitors to the area to explore all it has to offer.”
The Metropole Market will first take place on the 24th September and will then take place on the last Sunday of each month in the run up to Christmas with December’s market held on 17th December. Negotiations are currently underway to close Holdenhurst Road to traffic on market days which will provide extensive space to host a variety of stalls and entertainment.
Steve Hughes, Town Centre BID Manager, said:
” These are exciting times for the Lansdowne with up to £200 million of investment planned in the next few years with new housing, university buildings, offices and public space improvements.
“But we wanted to do something now to help existing businesses, raise the profile of the Lansdowne and give locals and visitors another reason to come into Bournemouth Town Centre. We look forward to working with businesses over the coming months to make the market a success.”
The BID has enlisted the help of Sophie O’Connell and Rebecca Whelam-Edmonds from the successful Southbourne Shake & Stir event to help with the market’s planning and delivery.
The emphasis will be on artisan stalls, arts and crafts, with students and start-ups being offered an initial rent-free period to encourage enterprise.
Steve Hughes added:
” These are main routes into Bournemouth for thousands of visitors and workers and we want to do as much as we can to create the right impression.”
The BID is coming to the end of its first five-year term and has recently issued its business plan for the next five years, which for the first time includes the office sector and plans to provide additional cleaning and environmental services on top of those provided by the council.
Businesses in the town centre will be voting in the next few weeks on whether the BID should continue for another five years.
Ballot papers are set to be issued on 2nd May; businesses will then have until 1st June 2017 to cast their votes by post. A YES vote is vital to ensure the Town Centre BID can continue its work on behalf of Bournemouth Town Centre businesses.
To find out more about the Bournemouth Town Centre BID, visit www.towncentrebid.co.uk.