Published on Thursday 02 October 2025
Businesses in Bournemouth are reporting a successful summer after people made more than ten million trips to the town centre across June, July, and August.
This summer the number of returning visitors to the town has more than doubled with fantastic events such as Pride, Summer Streets and Proms in the Park highlighting the best of what Bournemouth has to offer.
Floorspace and shop units have been brought back into life; in recent months businesses such as Barbara’s Bier Haus, The Botanist, Wenzel's and Sport It First have opened their doors in the town centre.
Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “When you step back from the headlines, the reality is that businesses and visitors have confidence in our town centre: we know this because businesses are investing in Bournemouth, and more and more people are returning on a regular basis.
“It has been fantastic to see so many people visit Bournemouth this summer; whether that’s for a trip to one of our nine Blue Flag beaches, a meal at our vibrant restaurants, visiting the shops, or simply to catch up with friends and family.
“We do not shy away from the challenges we, and many other coastal towns, face but we’ve got plans in place and are seeing that positive progress materialise.”
Businesses, whether local or national, continue to invest in our area and make Bournemouth their homes with positive results; The Botanist, which opened earlier this year, has reported their most successful launch ever.
Antony Doyle, Operations Director at The Botanist, said: “Our new flagship in Bournemouth has become our most successful opening to date, with sales exceeding our expectations since we launched in May. It’s an incredible response, which reflects the value of investing in the town and shows there's a strong appetite locally for what The Botanist offers.”
Bobby’s, where The Botanist is based, says they’ve had an ‘exceptional summer’ with a spokesperson saying: “We welcomed a new retail space with Bobby’s Emporium. Supporting local independent retailers and makers alongside the reopening of the tunnel which captures tourism footfall from the gardens and the beach. In May we welcomed the Botanist quickly becoming the go to spot this summer with its cocktail menu and sun-soaked rooftop terrace.”
But it’s not just big name brands that are thriving, local independent traders are also opening their doors – with Revival, Live On, and Blink welcoming their first customers earlier this year.
All Fired Up, on Bourne Avenue, has been trading since 2006 and says they’ve seen good momentum this summer.
Rosemary Smith, owner of All Fired Up, said: “We’ve welcomed lots of new and returning customers to All Fired Up throughout the summer – inviting people of all ages and abilities to take a step back, relax, and have fun painting their own unique ceramics.
“It’s been fantastic to see smiles on so many faces and we’re looking forward to that continuing as we approach the winter months.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is one of the first local authorities to trial a new High Street Rental Auction Scheme with work underway on its implementation; the additional powers would make it easier to bring long-term empty units into fruitful ownership.
Paul Kinvig, Chief Operating Officer of Town Centre BID, said: “It was great to see the town centre benefitting from the increased number of visitors driven by the fantastic weather & the events that made a real difference to the town.
“It’s vital that everyone works together to support businesses in these challenging times, especially as we start the run up to the vitally important Christmas period.”
Our team works alongside Dorset Police to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable time when they come to our town centre with hundreds of patrols taking place in key hotspots throughout the summer period. Independently measured statistics show crime in Bournemouth is down year on year and, as a county, Dorset remains in the top 10 safest places to live.
Building on the safe and successful summer, the Council is continuing to work with local businesses to deliver millions more festive memories for residents and visitors and continue the positive progress being made.