Save SOBO Beach is seeking safeguards so an independent review of BCP Council’s Southbourne Promenade procurement is completed before any long term lease is signed. Campaigners want fresh safeguards before BCP Council signs a long term lease for the SOBO Beach site. The independent Save SOBO Beach campaign, backed by more than 10,800 petition signatures, has asked for a procurement standstill to continue while BCP Council’s handling of the Southbourne Promenade process is reviewed. Full Council agreed on Tuesday to offer the current SOBO Beach operator another 11 months, until 30 September
Campaigners want fresh safeguards before BCP Council signs a long term lease for the SOBO Beach site.
The independent Save SOBO Beach campaign, backed by more than 10,800 petition signatures, has asked for a procurement standstill to continue while BCP Council’s handling of the Southbourne Promenade process is reviewed.
Full Council agreed on Tuesday to offer the current SOBO Beach operator another 11 months, until 30 September 2027, while also approving a new long term lease and referring the procurement for scrutiny.
The campaign says that amendment does not require the review to finish before a binding 20 year agreement is signed, and it wants a further Full Council decision before any contract is completed.
The campaign is asking how residents were consulted, how the Seafront Strategy was applied, and why social and community benefits accounted for two percent of the final assessment when income and capital investment made up 50 percent.
Dan Astin-Gregory said the group was “delighted that SOBO has the prospect of another summer”, but added that the questions were “not about opposing another business” after Seventa Events Limited was named as selected supplier.
The company selected as the preferred bidder has since been revealed as Seventa Events, a local company and operator of Christmas in Bournemouth.
See more at savesobo.com.
