Supporters pack meeting to save popular Southbourne seafront venue

Summarised from Bournemouth Echo's report · Updated 12 Oct, 06:48 · Archive

Hundreds gathered at SOBO Beach after its lease expires on 31 October, urging BCP Council to reconsider plans for the site.

Hundreds of supporters gathered at SOBO Beach in Southbourne on 11 October to campaign for the venue's future, filling every available space inside with dozens more listening from outside. The meeting was organised by residents and petition creators Dan Astin Gregory, 42, and Ben Clark, 30, whose Save SOBO Beach campaign had attracted around 7,000 signatures by Sunday afternoon. Speakers at the event included Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes, SOBO Beach owner Rich Slater, and staff members, with some speakers visibly moved when discussing the venue's importance to the community.

The lease on the land occupied by SOBO Beach expires on 31 October and the venue has said it is not the preferred operator selected through BCP Council's procurement process. Councillors are due to vote on the site's future shortly after the meeting. A second Bournemouth Echo commentary piece suggests the council's decision-making process has been disputed, describing it as 'a bad process' and calling for councillors to reconsider their decision.

Read the report

• 'I hope Lib Dem councillors overturn a bad process and stand by SOBO Beach'SOBO Beach could lose its site after delays and a disputed BCP Council process, as concerns grow over Bournemouth’s financial crisis, services and leadership.Bournemouth Echo · 12 Oct, 05:00
• 'Don't let the sun go down on SOBO Beach': Public pack meeting at venueSupporters packed into SOBO Beach this weekend as campaigners fighting to save the popular Southbourne seafront venue urged BCP Council to reconsider plans for its future.Bournemouth Echo · 12 Oct, 00:00

In this story: SOBO Beach · BCP Council · Southbourne · Dan Astin Gregory · Ben Clark · Tom Hayes · Rich Slater

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