The Bournemouth One News Centre

All the news you need for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with travel information and national headlines.

• New report shows confidence in Bournemouth

  A new report says confidence in Bournemouth town centre is growing. It was launched at The Ivy Bournemouth and brought together businesses, media, education leaders and other local partners. The report highlights investment from names including The Ivy, Patch, The Botanist, Sport It First and the transformation of Bobby’s. It also says Bournemouth’s students, graduates and visitor economy are helping support future growth in the town centre. Peter Lamb, a planner from Savills, told Bournemouth One he'd like to see more development in the town centre.

• Prison smuggling gang jailed

  Four people have been sentenced for smuggling drugs and other banned items into a Dorset prison. The group were involved in a scheme to bring mobile phones, drugs and other items into HMP Guys Marsh. A prison officer was among those convicted and admitted abusing his position to bypass security checks. Police say the operation involved organised payments and deliveries over several months. Officers say the case shows corruption and organised crime will be pursued wherever it occurs.

• Council approves giant pen sculpture in Bournemouth

  A large sculpture of a ballpoint pen is planned for Bournemouth town centre. The installation will stand around three metres tall and is linked to the Bournemouth Writing Festival taking place in April. The sculpture will include the names of writers connected to the town. It is intended to highlight Bournemouth’s links with literature and storytelling. The artwork is expected to be unveiled during the festival weekend.

• NFU Mutual backs Lewis Manning Hospice

  A new partnership in Bournemouth will help raise support for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care over the next six months. From the start of April to the end of September, new local policies taken out with NFU Mutual Bournemouth will trigger a donation to the charity. Lewis-Manning provides free care and wellbeing services across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset. The hospice says it supports people living with life-limiting illness, as well as their families and carers, including its youngest patient aged eleven.

• Conservatives will not contest town polls

  The Conservative group on BCP Council says it will not stand candidates in the new town council elections in Poole and Broadstone. Residents will vote in May to elect councillors for newly created town councils across the area. The group says it opposed the creation of the councils and believes they will add extra costs for residents. Elections will still take place for the new local authorities as planned.