On 6 February 2026, the Bournemouth Coastal BID announced a new £2.4 million business plan covering a six-year term (2026–2032) to fund community festivals, street-level improvements and tourism marketing along the coastal strip from Westbourne to Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset.
The investment is intended to boost the local economy by supporting tourism and making the area more attractive for residents and visitors. The BID says the money will be used to support tourism-driving events (including the Air Festival and Christmas celebrations) and to fund promenade and town-centre public-realm improvements such as lighting, signage and street furniture.
The programme is funded primarily through a business levy paid by local businesses in the designated coastal zones. The BID represents approximately 660–750 levy-paying businesses and core income is generated on the basis of a c.1.5% levy on business rates, supplemented by external grants and commercial partnerships. The covered districts include Westbourne, Southbourne, Boscombe, Pokesdown, East Cliff and West Cliff.
BID Manager Fiona McArthur said the goal is to give the community a strong, representative voice and to ensure the coastal experience continues to improve through 2032. BCP Council will continue to work alongside the BID on planning permissions, public-realm maintenance and the coordination of large-scale events for the public.
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