Journalism & News from Bournemouth University

Council set to demolish Britain’s oldest beach hut

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Bournemouth beach huts, including the oldest hut pictured with its blue plaque. Via Matthew Benton-Smith.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council are set to demolish Britain’s oldest public beach hut.

Beach Hut number 2359 has been standing since 1909 and has a plaque saying: “Bournemouth beach bungalow constructed 1909. First municipal beach hut in the UK.”

The plaque was unveiled in 2011 by councillor Andrew Emery, who said that the hut is a ‘proud and important asset to the town’.

The beach hut stands close to Bournemouth Pier and is being demolished to make room for the building compound for the construction work on the pier, which is set to start later this year.

The beach hut is one of 29 that are being removed by the council. This has caused concern among people waiting for beach huts, fearing their waits could significantly increase.

The huts however, are in a state of disrepair. A lack of funding and neglect by tenants has left the beach huts looking damaged, compared to the colourful huts which lie further along the beach.

The huts have had parts of their wooden exterior stripped away, this is seen to be by people who camp on the beach illegally and use the wood to make campfires.

However, it is too be added that the plaque does commemorate the site of the original beach hut, not the hut itself according to a spokesperson from BCP Council.