What is the future for Westover Road in Bournemouth?

Portfolio holder for regeneration, Cllr Phil Broadhead, held a meeting with businesses in Westover Road to discuss how to return the location to its past glory.

And the owner of Richmond Classics, Keith McNicol, said the businesses had come together “as the last bastions of independent retailers”.

He said: “We were saying we want them to spend the money in Westover Road but we want to be consulted with first so we are aware of the benefits and we will carry on investing in our businesses here.”

Read more: The changing face of Bournemouth's Westover Road

Mr McNicol said the businesses suggested perpendicular parking rather than nose-to-tail and using the opposite side of the road to allow Arts University Bournemouth to showcase its students’ work.

“This would be something people want to come and see and it would put us on the map,” he continued.

“Everyone used to dress up to come to Westover Road, it was the prestigious road in the south west, we want to try get that back.

“The businesses are acting as one group of of the last bastions of independent retailers. This is the last road of retail in Bournemouth, we have to know the council are going to invest correctly.”

Westover Road has been described years ago as Bournemouth’s “Bond Street”.

Read more: Plans for retail and leisure facilities on Westover Road could transform Bournemouth

And in 2010, ambitious plans were unveiled to incorporate the central car park behind Hinton Road, with a lift taking shoppers to a two-storey, designer shopping “galleria” on Westover Road.

Included in those plans was a scheme to widen the pavements and restrict traffic which developers hoped could give Westover Road a "boulevard feel", while a public piazza outside the Pavilion would add to the atmosphere, plans stated.

However, the plans never came to fruition.

Catherine Gofney of Roberta Boutique said improving Westover Road could restore footfall in the entire town but pedestrianising the road would “destroy” her business.

She said: “What we need is more on-street parking. If they increase those spaces, they will increase trade. If they get rid of them, they will destroy my business.

“Westover Road could restore Old Christchurch Road. If they increase parking, trade could come back so quickly.

“If they close that road or narrow that road we are in trouble.”

Ms Gofney also felt the other side of the road could be enhanced and suggested opening up the view to the sea to cater for the “Instagram generation”.

She added: “I could tell it’s really important to Cllr Broadhead we make Westover Road immaculate, that gives me hope.

“If the council understand the economic environment that is reliant on Westover Road and protect that I will be hopeful and positive for Bournemouth as a whole. It could be key for restoring footfall in the rest of the town.”

Cllr Broadhead said: “This is one of the best roads in the area and should be the jewel in the crown of Bournemouth.

“We have made big commitments in saying we are going to do something here. In the next few months hopefully, I will have some finality of what we are going to do.

“We are not going to go the whole hog and pedestrianise it but there’s serious investment we can put in, this time next year it could be a different place.

“The existing businesses are still doing very well, we have some thriving businesses doing some great trade

“Our conversations are about the best way we can get more people on to the road, increase footfall and make it an area people want to go to.

“All the ingredients are there, it’s about making it the best version of itself.”