Town Centre BID to fund Christmas illuminations

The Bournemouth Town Centre BID will be funding an array of Christmas attractions this year, to help bring in as many visitors as possible. BCP Council has said it cannot fund Christmas lights in Bournemouth this festive season, other than Christmas Tree Wonderland.

So the BID is paying for street lights across the whole town centre area.

In addition, to help boost festive footfall, there are two additional BID initiatives at the same time, spectacular projection mapping on buildings and trees and the Shape of Things to Come trail.

Martin Davies, chairman of the Bournemouth Town Centre BID said: “It would be fair to say that we are very disappointed that BCP Council is withdrawing its funding for Christmas lights in Bournemouth town centre and across the conurbation. Our levy payers will be disappointed too. While we are more than aware of the significant financial problems many local authorities including BCP are facing, investment in our town centre is vital, especially during the most important trading period of the year.

“The new BCP administration said right at the outset in May that the revitalisation of Bournemouth Town Centre was one of its top priorities. This would have been a good way of showing it.”

Mr Davies continued that it was also very disappointing that BCP was not offering Christmas parking concessions, with parking charges being one of the key concerns for traders and visitors.

“Our traders need all the help they can get,” he added.

Paul Kinvig, Chief Executive Operator of the BID said: “The BID is ready, willing, and able to step in on behalf of our levy-payers and our town centre. We will be doing everything we can to bring a vibrant and colourful festive presence.

“We are also very excited about the new projection mapping. This will be something stunning and environmentally sustainable.”

He added: “We are also delighted to be able to bring the Shape of Things to Come trail to town.”

At various locations across the town centre there will be a window vinyl where trail participants can access an augmented reality experience and two historic facts about Bournemouth’s past.

Everyone completing the interactive trail will be entered for a free competition to win a Town Centre Gift Card. The trail has been made possible by a grant from BCP Council.

Mr Kinvig said: “This is a great way of linking Bournemouth’s past with the latest technology. For us this is all about giving as many young people and families as possible, a reason to visit different parts of the town centre.”

The full BID Christmas programme will begin on November 17 and full details of locations for the Christmas lights, projection mapping and trail will be unveiled soon.