MP Conor Burns launches Build Back Bournemouth campaign

Conservative backbencher Mr Burns recently met with the levelling up secretary to press the need for change.

The Bournemouth West MP said thousands of residents had responded to a recent survey expressing concerns about the town’s direction of travel.

Mr Burns said his town-wide call for solutions from residents and stakeholders was supported by the secretary of state.

He said he referenced the recent series by the Daily Echo covering the state of the high street when talking with the minister.

“The message from local people is that BCP has not been focusing on the fundamentals. Our area can do so much better than we are not,” Mr Burns said.

“This is an incredible place to live, work and rest. But our town centre lets us and the area down. I don’t want to turn the clock back, but I do want to get ideas as to how we can reimagine our town centre in changed times and give it new life.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns (Image: Newsquest)

“At the end of the day the town doesn’t belong to the council. It is our town. I want us to work together regardless of political opinion to build Bournemouth back.”

This week the former Northern Ireland minister launched a campaign to “Build Back Bournemouth”.

The initiative involves the town-wide call for action, with residents and stakeholders invited to contribute towards a plan to “save our town centre”.

Mr Burns said every household in the constituency had been sent a physical survey to share their views, while an online can be accessed at conorburns.com/campaigns/build-bournemouth-back.

The politician said he had offered to meet stakeholders across the town to “pinpoint and remove any barriers to prosperity”.

Mr Gove reportedly welcomed the proposal to consult with the community and agreed to consider any recommendations brought forward.

The minister also offered to meet the Bournemouth West MP again as ideas came in and he offered his support to the initiative, Mr Burns said.

As reported, last month Mr Burns called on BCP Council to “focus on the fundamentals” after seeing a common theme throughout the large number of responses to his most recent parliamentary survey.

Issues that came to the fore included litter, weeds, graffiti and anti-social behaviour, while concerns were also expressed over empty units in the high street.