Once-bustling UK seaside town is now 'ghost town' full of boarded up shops

Visitors and locals in Bournemouth, Dorset, warn the future of the resort's centre hangs in the balance with department stores shutting up shop

A once-booming seaside town is on the decline as countless shops are shuttered.

Big high street stores have left town and locals continue to complain over "hideously unfair" parking charges in Bournemouth, Dorset. The resort's future is hanging in the balance due to the exodus of department stores, according to visitors and locals.

Carol Smith, 60, from Rugby, who has visited Bournemouth since she was a child, told Express.co.uk: "It's changed so much. It's not how it used to be. It's just such a shame.

"The iconic bit about Bournemouth has gone. You used to come to Bournemouth for the [seafront], the sandy beach... the pier. Everything was clean and nice. Everything needs a bit of paint now."

Travel agent Carol said she would still visit the town because she loved the place, but it has lost a lot of the shine she remembers from her childhood.

Pensioner Mick Jones from Christchurch said he has lived in the area for 30 years. He said of the town centre: "It used to be nice. I suppose all towns are struggling.

"We've lost all the big shops - Beales, Debenhams, M&S went... Things are changing. Department stores can't do it anymore. Everyone goes online."

Jane Allsopp, 64, from Litchfield, Staffs, was revisiting the town after first 21 years. She said: "I just remember it being better and cleaner. It looks a little bit run down now. I wouldn't recommend it, not now."

Peter Thompson, 84, from Oxfordshire, said he has been coming to Bournemouth for about 30 years, but the cost of parking was becoming an issue.

He said: "Car parking prices are absolutely hideous. [In summer] it's £17.50 for six hours. It just changed this week to £12.50. It's too expensive...

"To come here for three nights you can pay £75 to £80 just to park your car. We don't want to rob ourselves of things we like doing... If they're hitting their bread and butter like this people will stop coming."

Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations at Bournemouth, Christchuch and Poole Council (BCP), said: "Like most councils across the country BCP is facing an unprecedented challenge.

"Soaring inflation has driven up costs and many councils are facing an increase in demand for core services, such as social care, education and highways. Car parking revenue is a vital source of income that helps the council deliver and improve important parking operations.

"BCP Council’s extensive bus network , operated with partners More Bus, provides a sustainable way to travel into town and across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as does hiring one of our community Beryl Bikes."

Some car parks in Bournemouth have private owners who set their own fees, including the Marriott Hotel and the Pavilion. Some, like Castlepoint, provide free parking, according to the local authority.