Richard Carr's plans for Bournemouth nightclub site revealed

Proposals for a major redevelopment in Glen Fern Road go on display to the public tomorrow, September 8.

As previously reported, the Fortitudo plans include 350 apartments available to rent and 250 apartments for sale, a 40,000 square foot nightclub, a 36,000 square foot ten-pin bowling facility, 15,000 square feet of bars and restaurants, a 20,000 square foot cinema, a 120 bedroom hotel and a 600 capacity multi-storey car park.

The existing car park facility would be demolished and commercial buildings in Glen Fern Road which house business including Cameo, Norwegian Wood Cafe, a garage and Oasis Fun would go.

Fortitudo says it is in ‘active talks’ with a number of the existing businesses to see if they can form part of the development.

If approved by BCP Council planners, work could take four years and be completed in 2026.

The key site, which includes South Western House, formerly a major HMRC office, was acquired by Poole-based Fortitudo and Interceptor Opportunities.

Fortitudo chief executive Richard Carr said: “We’re keen to try and bring back something that is much, much better and will make Bournemouth a great place to live.

“This falls in with the regeneration of Bournemouth, and these facilities will be ground-breaking.”

In a document prepared for the exhibition, the company says the site, which covers 1.85 acres and has two frontages on Glen Fern Road and Fir Vale Road, is known as BOHO Grand and was once voted one of the ugliest buildings in the country.

It says as office needs and requirements have changed in terms of look and layout, this style of building has fallen out of favour. As a result it has become redundant and fallen into a state of disrepair.

The public exhibition, which comes as part of the process prior to a formal planning application submission, takes place between 12.30pm and 7.30pm at the Russell Cotes Museum on Wednesday, September 8.