We have a significant opportunity to save and rebrand Boscombe's historic Royal Arcade. The Victorian shopping arcade is a Grade II listed building, but it's in bad shape and needs urgent attention.

The Royal Arcade Project aims to fix water damage and exterior damage. It will also make the building stronger, restore historic features and upgrade utilities. Once restored, the Arcade will be transformed into a place for shopping, culture, entertainment, education, and creative new business ideas. The project will make use of nearly 2,500 square metres of currently empty space.

Shopping spaces on the ground floor will be updated so that they can be used for independent shops and food outlets, while keeping their original historic storefronts. The project will also update the first floor of the building, which has mostly been unused. There will be elevators and fire exits added, allowing for development of over 1,200 metres of flexible working spaces. A Digital Skills Hub will provide training and support for businesses as well as access to 3D printers and VR technology.

Other features included in the plan are:

• new public toilets
• bike storage
• waste bins
• a local creative event space in the central arcade
• additional structural and access improvements to the second and third floors, to be used at a later phase.

These plans were submitted in August 2023. They are pending approval from the planning authority, which is expected to make a decision by November 13, 2023.

The project aims for building work to start in 2025 or sooner, and will take around 2 years to complete.