THE man behind plans for an e-Grand Prix in Bournemouth said “unless the town does something big quickly, it is going to slide economically”.

Tony Williams, of Wessex Entrepreneurs, said the benefits of a Formula E Grand Prix would be “huge”, but the team were waiting for funding from BCP Council.

He said: “Currently we are still waiting to hear the result of our application for funding from BCP Council, that has been dragging on for some time.

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“We could use the e-Grand Prix as a means to regenerate the town and would put the town on the map globally.

“There’s dozens of SMEs who want the e-Grand Prix, a la Monaco, for their own businesses but also thousands across Dorset.

“The e-Grand Prix is all inclusive, there’s something for everybody, it’s really a community project.”

The planned track would start in Christchurch Road, go past Royal Bath Hotel, up West Cliff Road, over the Durley Roundabout, up Durley Chine Road, join the Wessex Way coming off at the St Paul’s Roundabout, travel up St Pauls Road and St Swithuns Road before re-joining Christchurch Road.

Mr Williams continued: “Until we get that commitment from BCP Council I am not sure how we progress.

“It is a relatively small amount of money and it would show commitment to doing what needs to be done.

“There would be a lot of work and risk in it but if everybody pulled together think what might happen.

“It’s all very positive, the impact of this event would be huge. There are a few people who said ‘not in my backyard’, but what was said negatively could be overcome and made perhaps into something advantageous.

“Unless the town does something big quickly, sadly I think it is going to slide economically.

“It really is something for the future, this could be the thing that pulls everybody together.”

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The plans include a two-day race weekend including qualifying and the actual race, lasting approximately 45 minutes.

There would also be a week-long festival with sports, music and a “cultural programme” as well as a business conference.

The team behind the plans say it would make Bournemouth the “gateway to an international Dorset”.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration said: “The organisers of the proposed e-Grand Prix in Bournemouth have engaged with BCP Council, and we are investigating the possibility of hosting this exciting event in the BCP region. 

“The discussions are at an early stage but there are confirmed meetings in the diary so we can explore the project further.”