Hundreds of people have reacted over the weekend to a report on the state of Bournemouth town centre.
Pub company boss Kris Gumbrell, said the town centre is "dying" and doing worse than any of the other places in which he operates.
The Bournemouth-based chief executive of Brewhouse & Kitchen, says the council needs to “fix the plumbing” by improving the streets and acting on antisocial behaviour.
Read more: Bournemouth town centre 'dying' says Brewhouse & Kitchen boss
Residents and visitors alike shared their opinion on the issues over the weekend.
Here's what some of them said:
'It was the place to be seen'
Bournemouth used to be a fabulous place to shop, eat and go out drinking and clubbing.
The days are gone when you used to dress in your nicest clothes to go shopping, on any day but especially Saturdays. It was the place to be seen. It saddens me how it has become how it has. My late mum used to say that you didn’t need need to go to Regent Street to shop - Westover Road was just as good unfortunately that cannot be said now.
'Doesn't feel safe'
It died a long time ago, there are no shops anymore, too many coffee shops, no atmosphere, a load of homeless that can become aggressive, and car parking charges are an absolute joke, not to mention it doesnt feel a safe place to be! So sad.
'It's not all bad'
My Dad lives there so I go there often. We walk through the centre..into some of the shops - Bobby's, Boots, Clarks for example.
During the summer, the entertainment was amazing in the centre during the day at least, great atmosphere and last weekend the Arts Festival was buzzing.
The gardens are beautiful. It's not all bad. Its important to note the positive things and hopefully the shops cafes and businesses that are still there will survive if we support them and each other. Every town has problems, its how they are dealt with.
The council need to step up and give some relief on parking charges and a few bobby's on the beat.
Read more: Drugs, drunks and threats: Why Westover Road businesses feel area is 'unsafe'
It horrible, I used love Bournemouth, but now I don’t feel safe. Its dirty and smelly and all the iconic shops have gone buildings are left rotting. We have nothing appealing.
— Kayateewhy (@kew13) October 15, 2022
'No department stores'
There isn't anything that will draw you to go there. All the department stores are gone. To walk around the town looking at the pubs, eating places, mobile phone places isn't inspiring. Looking in the empty shops door ways full of dirty blankets, cardboard, sleeping bags isn't exciting. I dread having to come just to visit a bank that's all. Car park fee is a rip off.
'I go to Poole'
I go to Poole, several large supermarkets within close proximity plus Wilko, Boots, Primark in the same proximity. Much larger selection of other shops and not full of vagrants and beggars, although there are a few, nothing like Bournemouth has become.
'Total shock and disbelief'
I spent my childhood years here then spent most of my life abroad, came back six months ago and thought I'd drive into Bournemouth, total shock and disbelief. The councils over the years should be ashamed at the death of a town once so proud to live in.
Read more: What the council and police say about Bournemouth town centre criticism
Wouldn't go there for a day out if you paid me unfortunately I have to go there for an hour a day for work as I'm a bus driver but would never go to town otherwise
— mark White (@TommaxMw) October 15, 2022
'Feels unsafe'
Last time I went to Bmth it was awful. I use to love going there to shop in my younger years. Its sad seeing all the shops that have gone. The patisserie opposite shakeaway had all broken windows that were boarded up. The whole area just feels unsafe now. The council definitely need to address the rough sleeping problem. There are quite a few sites that could be transformed into housing units for the homeless but no money is being put into this. There is no point in making it a tourist town when there is nothing else for them to do.
'We prefer Southbourne and Christchurch'
I live in Bournemouth & I can’t remember the last time I went into the town to shop. It’s dirty & run down! I will go to see the Christmas lights but that’s it. I prefer evenings out in Southbourne & Christchurch & shopping in Westquay. BCP you should be ashamed of yourselves for ruining Bournemouth town centre.
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