EFFORTS are being made to sort out the closed shops near Pokesdown railway station.

Residents raised the problem during the spring meeting of Pokesdown Community Forum held at the Salvation Army Hall in Norwood Place.

One resident said: “Can anything be done about the shops that are boarded up? They are never for sale or lease.”

Another said: “It’s taken too long. They have got like that over 30 years. We need enforcement.”

Sally Turner, Boscombe’s regeneration officer, said a scheme was being introduced to make it easier to find out who the landlords are.

Cllr Jane Kelly, cabinet member for regeneration, said it had taken too long but said there had never been such a drive to regenerate the Boscombe East and West wards, including the empty shops.

Pam Ruthvan, from the committee, said she was also investigating.