THE OWNERS of Bournemouth’s oldest cafe have pleaded with developers to save their business.

They fear that Norwegian Wood in Glen Fern Road will be lost forever under plans to bulldoze its current site.

It comes after property developer Richard Carr revealed proposals to raze the site occupied by Cameo Nightclub, Oasis Fun and a multi-storey car park and replace it with a “ground-breaking” facility in the centre of the town.

However, the proprietors of the popular café, known for its wooden interior, Beatles memorabilia and all-day breakfasts, say they “want to preserve” the legacy of the original coffee lounge.

Owner Tara Mousavi, who has been running the cafe along with her sister Olivia Kandar for the past six years, said: “The owners before us ran it for 26 years, and before them the café was under a few different owners for around 25 years.

“We are told that we are the first café in Bournemouth so, since we have taken over, we didn’t want to change a thing.

“It is a piece of history of Bournemouth as well as a reminder of the Beatles.”

Bournemouth Echo: The Norwegian Wood café, the oldest café in Bournemouth, on Glen Fern Road is named after The Beatles record by the same name

Having been closed for the majority of the lockdown period, Tara and Olivia have said they have enjoyed welcoming back customers since they reopened their doors on May 17.

The joint owners have said that they are due to meet with their landlord Norman Haywood in the coming days to discuss the future of the café.

Tara said: “Honestly, we like this café as it is, and we want to preserve it. We have not been here for ever, but we wish to keep the theme and the spirit of the café going on.

"A lot of people came here when they were teenagers and have continued to come back. And now we are getting more young people coming in who are interested in the Beatles and like coffee.

“It is attractive to people in that aspect because tourists come to the area to come and see the café and people who are interested in The Beatles also want to come in and see what it is like."

Bournemouth Echo: The Norwegian Wood café, the oldest café in Bournemouth, on Glen Fern Road is named after The Beatles record by the same name

Chief executive of developer Fortitudo, Richard Carr, said he is open to retaining the café on the same plot.

He added: “Norwegian Wood has been there for as long as I can remember, I have been in there many times.

“With the scheme, there will be small units on either side of the development for small businesses, such as Norwegian Wood, to move into.

“We intended to keep an active frontage on both sides of the site, with units let to private businesses, as we believe it adds to the ambience of the scheme.

“We are not in the business of kicking small businesses around, I am a great believer in helping people and business owners to thrive. Of course, they will have to move whilst construction is taking place, but we would love to welcome the Norwegian Wood café back into the new development.”

Fortitudo said it plans to keep rents competitive to allow small businesses to thrive.

Bournemouth Echo: The Norwegian Wood café, the oldest café in Bournemouth, on Glen Fern Road is named after The Beatles record by the same name

Mr Carr said: “I am due to submit the application in the next three weeks, drawings are currently being drawn up, so it is full steam ahead.

“It will be amazing for the town and its nightlife. We just want to revitalise that part of the town and give it a new look.

“The scheme will bring in 400 to 500 lifestyle apartments for students and young people. What could be better for a young person than to have a night club and bowling alley right in your vicinity.”