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Boscombe High Street Project

The Boscombe High Street Project is a key part of the Better Boscombe programme, focused on revitalising Christchurch Road and surrounding areas through building improvements, public realm upgrades and support for local businesses.

The project is founded on the belief that revitalised high streets create new opportunities - supporting local enterprise, increasing footfall and creating a more vibrant, attractive town centre. Now well into delivery, the project has already achieved significant progress, with completion scheduled for Autumn 2026.

Community Impact and Project Aims

The High Street Project is designed to strengthen Boscombe's town centre by improving both the physical environment and the opportunities available to businesses and residents.

The project aims to:

create a vibrant, quirky, safe and attractive town centre
encourage the reuse of vacant shops and underused buildings
bring upper floors back into use for residential and employment purposes
support job creation and local economic growth
enhance and celebrate Boscombe's Victorian architecture
improve public realm spaces to increase footfall and dwell time

Key Achievements to Date

The project has already delivered a wide range of improvements that are helping reshape the High Street.

Shopfront Design and Heritage Protection

creation of a Shopfront Design Code based on traditional Victorian timber and glass shopfronts
adoption of the design code as a reference tool within the planning system
protection of original architectural features and discouragement of inappropriate alterations such as external roller shutters

This approach helps preserve the character of Boscombe while creating a more welcoming and cohesive High Street.

Building Improvements and Grant Delivery

Significant progress has been made in supporting property owners and traders to improve buildings and bring spaces back into use:

9 shopfront renovation grants issued (6 complete, 1 in progress)
5 façade cleaning grants issued
43 trader grants issued (38 complete) supporting small-scale property improvements
3 new residential units delivered (100% complete)
3 derelict buildings refurbished, including 30/32 Royal Arcade (Boscombe Hub)

These improvements are increasing activity on the High Street and helping create a more attractive and resilient environment for businesses.

Public Realm and Urban Greening

A major public realm scheme has been designed for the pedestrianised section of Christchurch Road, with installation planned for September 2026.

The scheme will deliver:

8 trees in planters (including refurbishment of existing planters)
21 large planters with perennials and grasses to add structure and visual impact
new seating, including timber and steel chairs and curved benches with a coastal aesthetic
wayfinding elements and interpretation boards highlighting Boscombe's Victorian heritage

All planters will be constructed from Corten steel, offering durability and low maintenance, supported by a 2-year maintenance programme.

This scheme will improve approximately 300 sqm of public realm, creating a greener, more inviting High Street environment.

Performance Against MHCLG Targets

The project has made strong progress against MHCLG targets, with several areas already close to or exceeding expectations.

Shopfront & facade improvement grants: 14 Achieved (93%)
Residential units delivered: Achieved 3 (60%)
Derelict buildings improved: 3 Achieved (20%)
Floorspace refurbished (sqm): In progress
Trader grants issued: 43 Achieved (95%)
Total grants to enterprises: 63 Achieved (100%)

Additional outcomes:

1 permanent full-time job created (100% of target)
public realm improvements currently in procurement phase

All targets are expected to be achieved as the project progresses towards completion.

Investment and Delivery

The High Street Project has a total budget of £1.65 million, with approximately £620,000 spent to date.

Budget Breakdown

Shopfront Design Code: £86,000
Renovation Grants: £870,000
Trader Grants: £90,000
Public Realm Works: £610,000

Funding includes support from the MHCLG Towns Fund, alongside additional investment leveraged through private property owners and businesses.

The project has successfully attracted significant match funding, with property owners and traders investing alongside grant support to deliver improvements - helping maximise the overall impact on the High Street.

A More Vibrant Future for Boscombe High Street

The High Street Project is already changing the look and feel of Boscombe's town centre. Through building improvements, heritage-led design and planned public realm upgrades, the project is creating a more attractive, active and economically resilient High Street.

As delivery continues towards Autumn 2026, Boscombe High Street will become a stronger destination for residents, businesses and visitors, supporting local growth while celebrating the area's character and identity.

High street project FAQs

The High Street project aims to renovate up to 10 privately-owned properties with grants for specific works that preserve the building's character and bring them back into more active use. Funded by The Towns Fund and administered by BCP Council, this initiative targets properties needing significant improvements due to long-term dereliction, potential for business and residential use, or heritage value.

The heritage-style repairs are more costly but necessary to restore these assets. The grants cover works that revive vacant spaces, create new homes, and enhance the area's appearance. This community-requested project is expected to improve the area's image and increase footfall.

Increases in cost due to unforeseen structural issues means that we have had to scale back our target.

An independent feasibility study by architects identified the properties based on:

Location within heritage-style buildings
Visibility in key gateway locations to the town center
Significant long-term decay and dereliction
Potential to create business and residential spaces

The owners are contributing in most cases, which are assessed on their individual merits.

Renovations address both empty ground floors and entire vacant properties, restoring historic features to enhance street appearance and attract more visitors. Repairs to facades, gutters, and roofs also improve residential units, creating better living conditions and securing the buildings for future generations.

The grant is available for the replacement of the shop front and where funds allow plus owner top up the grant can also be used for repairs to the facade such as, gutters, window repairs and brickwork repairs.

A well presented shop front in more inviting and welcoming to potential customers.

Shops undergoing shop front replacements will need to close while the shopfront and any associated structural repairs are carried out. Residents of the building will be unaffected by the works.

Our plan may bring necessary changes, but it shouldn't come at the expense of existing businesses. We'll provide active support and guidance to high street occupants impacted by the project, both directly and indirectly. This will minimise disruption and keep the local business scene thriving.

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