Major plans unveiled for Bournemouth's Happyland arcade site

Proposals for the Happyland arcade on the seafront would see it become a destination for contemporary art.

The ground floor will provide two galleries, which would be free to visit all year round and fully visible from the beach via a new glass frontage.

On the upper floor there will be a day spa and a full health and wellness programme offered by The Retreat in what would be its third location.

A roof terrace will include a restaurant and sunset bar overlooking the beach and Poole Bay.

The project has come together through a collaboration between BCP Council, site owners Meyrick Estate, Bournemouth-born artist Stuart Semple and his town centre gallery GIANT, and architect Madeleine Kessler.

Mr Semple said: “Happyland is at its heart a beautiful building, but the beauty is hidden in plain sight.

“I love the idea of bringing it back to life, repurposing it and giving it a new use for the people of Bournemouth and our visitors.

“It’s incredible how the town has embraced art, and for GIANT to be expanding into another space where we can take the art to more people is wonderful.

Stuart Semple at GIANT art gallery in Bournemouth town centre

“There has been so much support for the idea, so many brilliant people are coming together to do this for the town. There’s so much love for it that I hope it makes a really great impact on what the town can offer.”

The building on the beachfront site was initially constructed as a bathing station in 1939.

It was in operation for 30 years before being converted into an amusement arcade.

Happyland amusement arcade

The proposed centre is designed in collaboration with internationally-renowned architect Ms Kessler, curator of the last British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.

She said: “Happyland is uniquely nestled between goats on the cliff tops and one of Europe’s best beaches below. It has a fascinating history, originating as a bathing station before becoming an arcade, and we are excited to be a part of the next stage of its evolution.

“Our work is dedicated to creating joyful people-centred places, which bring diverse audiences of all ages together through innovative and playful design of public buildings and spaces.

“The design for Happyland creates a centre for art, culture and wellbeing, whilst also celebrating the building’s wonderful Art Deco features and Bournemouth’s seaside heritage.”

The vision for Happyland will be subject to a planning application being approved.

Candida Meyrick, novelist and founder of The Retreat, New Forest, said: “Happyland will bring together two of the most important pillars of civilisation - culture and personal wellbeing. And as Bournemouth was founded on precisely that aspiration to lead a good life, healthy and culturally engaged, this is something I am particularly thrilled to be a part of.”

Earlier this year, BCP Council was awarded £18.2m as part of the government’s levelling up fund. This significant cash injection will go towards key seafront projects over the next three years as part of the council’s Big Plan to create a world-class seafront.

The local authority entered a legal agreement with Meyrick Estate in 2019 ahead of coming up with a redevelopment plan.

Cllr Philip Broadhead said: “For a number of years we’ve been working closely with the freeholder Meyrick Estate to bring together a new long term redevelopment and vision of this site.”

He said he was really excited Mr Semple was driving the plans, having seen the local authority support his GIANT gallery project in the Bobby’s building.

Cllr Broadhead added: “To keep attracting talent of this calibre is vital in our plans to make the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region the well-being and cultural capital of the UK – and these draft plans could be a really key part of that journey.”