Bringing warmth, security, and a taste of Korea to Boscombe's bustling high street.
Nestled within Boscombe's Sovereign Centre, Bon Da Bang is a Korean café that's fast becoming a local favourite - not just for its comforting food and hot drinks, but also for its welcoming atmosphere and community spirit. Thanks to support from the Better Boscombe initiative, this independent café recently benefitted from a Small Trader Grant - and the impact has been transformative.
We caught up with the team at Bon Da Bang to hear more about their experience and how the grant has helped their business thrive.
Upgrading for Comfort and Security
Q: How has the Small Trader Grant helped your café?
"This helped us a lot. Since opening, we always wanted to cover the café front, mainly for security and to help with keeping the café warm in winter. But financially, we weren't able to do it at the time."
Q: What improvements have you made with the grant?
"We fitted a new front door and covered the whole front area, which made a huge difference. It's made the café look much nicer and improved insulation too."
With the grant, Bon Da Bang was able to upgrade its open entrance with a new fitted front, a change that not only made the space more secure but also created a warmer, cosier environment for customers.
A Cosier Café, Happier Customers
Q: How have these changes helped your customers and business?
"It's made a big difference. Customers used to say it was cold during winter. Now the café feels cosy and warm, and more people are coming in. It's helped our business a lot."
The improvements help promote a better customer experience -- especially during the colder months -- leading to more footfall and stronger community engagement.
Spreading Warmth Through a Sweet Promotion
Bon Da Bang also took part in the Better Boscombe Christmas Hot Drink and Sweet Promotion, offering festive treats to customers throughout the holiday season.
Q: How did the Christmas promotion help your café?
"At first, it was a bit quiet. But then a few customers came in and started spreading the word. More people followed -- it kept going like that. We got some new customers from it."
Q: Did you see more customers because of the promotion?
"Yes, definitely."
Q: You also promoted the offer yourself. Did that help?
"Yes - we shared it in our Korean community in Bournemouth. That really helped. We support each other, and that made a big difference."
By combining the official promotion with their own community networks, Bon Da Bang were able to bring in new faces and increase awareness of their café, especially among local Korean residents.
Supporting Small Businesses, Building a Better Boscombe
Q: What do you think about the support you received from the Better Boscombe initiative?
"It really helped our business. We think it's important that this kind of support continues to help small businesses like ours."
Q: Would you recommend the Small Trader Grant to others?
"Yes, definitely."
The Smaller Trade Grant Has Transformed Bon Da Bang
- Bon Da Bang used the Small Trader Grant to install a new front entrance, improving insulation and security.
- Customers now enjoy a cosier, more comfortable café experience - especially during the winter.
- Participation in the Christmas promotion brought in new customers, especially with help from the Korean community.
- The café strongly supports the continuation of the Better Boscombe initiative for local traders.
If you're a small business in the Boscombe area and think your shopfront, signage, or customer offering could benefit from a little boost, take a look at the Small Trader Grant and see how Better Boscombe can support your next step.
Together, we're building a better high street - one business at a time.
