A popular beachfront café and bar venue has been granted an 11-month lease extension by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council after a public petition garnered more than 10,000 signatures in support.
The lease for SOBO Beach, a multi-functional site along the Southbourne Promenade, was due to expire on October 31. According to the manager Rich Slater, the original lease was for two years but then began rolling “on a 12-month basis”.
Photo credits: Brooke Wright
Mr Slater said: “11 months is tricky. It gives us an extension, but it doesn’t give us a period of time that allows investment.”
Since its opening in early 2022, SOBO Beach has grown into an inclusive community space, with local run groups, swimmers, music events and yoga classes relying on it as more than just a commercial operation.
“We offered these communities coffee vouchers, turning activities into something more social. It’s not just going for a run but coming in and having a coffee and a chat,” Mr Slater added.
The site was originally meant to operate for two years as SOBO Beach with council plans to eventually start permanent construction.
However plans fell through so it no longer became financially viable, leading to the space remaining under the agency of Slater and his team.
The management team’s primary concern was to secure the future of the location.
Slater said: “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this site, it’s more than just a job, this is quite personal.”
Slater confirmed that the team have been pushing for a permanent solution for the site. After the council meeting Slater was angry about the whole process and “the way that things have been run”.
BCP Council granted the new contract to a different operator, but the extension has meant that the space will remain open as SOBO Beach until September 2027.
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