I'M NOT boasting in any way, but I am the proud owner of one of the most lucrative pieces of real estate in the area.

Granted, the view's not great, my neighbour's plot is far too close for comfort and the floorspace is a meagre ten square metres.

But when it comes to having what anyone who comes to Bournemouth really wants, it's worth a veritable fortune.

Of course, my parking space comes courtesy of my employers, but while it doesn't actually have my name on it, boy do I get grumpy if I turn up and find somebody else has had the temerity to park there.

Nigel Hedges' idea for all Bournemouth's traders to chip in and give a cool million to the council to guarantee free parking for all Bournemouth's shoppers may not be original - the Echo has been banging on about it for a few years now - but it really does bring the town centre's problems in to sharp focus.

Of course, it's just a dream at this stage, but it's one that will surely resonate for any shopper who exercises their right to choose the town centre or Castlepoint as their shopping destination.

The fact is that Bournemouth town centre will not return to the glory days without something - and this has to include the support of the council - being done.

Traders might feel aggrieved at the thought of paying high business rates and then having to dip into their pockets to fund car parking charge discounts or amnesties.

But if the result is a sharp rise in the number of shoppers returning to the centre, they might be tempted... with a little help from their Town Hall friends.