AFTER visiting Bournemouth town centre today, I came away feeling shocked and sad to see what has happened to the town since I last visited and felt the need to vent my frustration.
I consider myself a local despite no longer living in the area.
I am 34 and lived in Christchurch for most of my life.
I loved regular day trips or nights out in Bournemouth.
The town was always so vibrant with lots going on, great shops and restaurants and always felt very safe.
I moved up to Scotland five years ago and have just returned to Bournemouth for a visit.
What the hell has happened to this place? There are barely any shops left, with many boarded up.
The town centre looks like a wasteland and is filthy.
A high proportion of people walking around the town centre seem to have a drink or drugs problem.
Quite frankly there is no centre to visit anymore and the issues with drink and drugs make the place have an unpleasant and uncomfortable atmosphere.
I know out of town shopping centres like Castlepoint haven’t helped but this is has happened up and down the country and no place I have visited has been so negatively affected as Bournemouth.
You would think the council don’t even care - like they’ve just given up.
In fact, they are actively responsible for deterring people, especially locals, from visiting the town with the astronomic parking charges.
I initially went to park in the Pavilion however was appalled when I went to pay and just two hours was £6.6.
I got back in the car to find somewhere else.
I still ended up paying £4.80 for two hours.
I just don’t understand what this council are doing but it genuinely disgusts and saddens me.
Simply having a nice beach and gardens is not enough of an attraction with such a rundown town at its centre.
Growing up I was always so proud to live in such a beautiful place.
Now I couldn’t be happier that I no longer live here and after my experience this week I doubt I will ever return to the area again.
What a shame.
SAM GRIFFITHS
Elgin, Scotland
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