RESIDENTS and visitors are being urged to come and see what Bournemouth's coastal communities have to offer this festive season.

Bournemouth Coastal BID has funded and secured Christmas lights across its neighbourhoods from Tuckton to Westbourne.

Despite the pandemic and lockdowns, the BID has worked to ensure there is something to attract visitors.

Lights have been put up in Tuckton, Pokesdown, Southbourne, Boscombe, East Cliff and West Cliff and Westbourne.

Paul Clarke, the BID’s chairman, said: “With just a few weeks until Christmas many businesses will be aware that this is the period that could make or break them.

“The retail and hospitality sectors have been particularly hard hit and we have many of those businesses along the coast.

“Despite the restrictions we’ve been able to fund and put up lights to make our trading areas more attractive.

“We want to encourage locals and visitors to come out and spend money in our communities.

“Businesses have spent time and money to make themselves Covid-safe and our message is simple: Christmas isn’t cancelled.

“We’d also like to thank Gala Lighting whose generosity means we have lights on the West Cliff and East Cliff."

“Businesses – especially those who have been forced to close during November – need support.

“Each one provides for families and without people using them they will go and it’ll be too late.

“With a Covid vaccine now approved we can see the end of the tunnel and would urge everyone to get out this Christmas and enjoy what our trading areas have to offer.”