IDEAS are being sought to revitalise a neglected square in Poole town centre, bringing a forgotten area back to life.

Maypole Square, close to the historic Guildhall in Market Street, is occasionally used by children dancing around a maypole, but for little else.

Paved and containing benches and trees, with a separate area of grass, it is cut off by walls and roads and is largely overlooked, despite being close to the High Street.

Now Poole Quays Forum, which covers around 7,000 residents in Hamworthy East and the old town, is holding a free Family Fun Day at the square and Orchard Plaza on Wednesday May 29, hoping to get ideas to rejuvenate the area.

Chairman Bill Constance said: “It’s right in the heart of town and it could be a benefit to the community. The first step is getting people’s ideas.

“We want people to come along, children and parents and have some fun but at the same time we want their views for what they would do with this space.”

This is the first project identified by the forum, whose members felt it was an underused area which could be made into an attractive leisure space.

Mr Constance said: “It is close to the High Street and could provide significant community benefit.

Using both the hard space and the grassed area it could be made attractive, providing use for shoppers, office workers, visitors and the local community to relax, picnic/lunch, take wedding pictures and maybe some children’s play facilities.”

Martha Covell of local town planners ECA said: “The council made a great job of restoring the Guildhall, and gave the building a wonderful new lease of life as Poole’s register officer.

“The square immediately adjacent however is tired and lacks purpose. We are keen to canvas the opinions of local people and will be handing out questionnaires asking what they would like to see the space used for.”

The fun day will run from 10am to 3pm and will include a climbing wall, Punch and Judy, street juggler, steam car, soap carving, drawing competitions and craft stalls.

For more information go to poolequaysforum.co.uk