Message from SOBO Beach

Wow!

 

We can’t believe the response we’ve had this past week, and we have witnessed first hand just how strong this community is, so thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

 

We want the best solution for the site, for the community, for the future. We don't think the current process meets that.

In 2024 “BCP Council developed an official framework to explicitly use engagement, consultation, co-production, and lived experience to drive local choices. The framework stresses that while consultations are not a binding referendum, they are essential to understand the public's views before final decisions are made.” - bcpcouncil.gov.uk

 

We’ve heard your concerns about why the public weren’t consulted ahead of this tender.

 

“Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council explicitly acknowledges the critical importance of community value across its core strategic frameworks, planning procedures, and asset management policies. The council formalizes this commitment by placing community empowerment and social value at the heart of its municipal operating model.” - bcpcouncil.gov.uk 

 

We’ve heard your concerns about whether this has truly been accounted for in this process.

 

Councillor Herret has stated “The existing lease is due to expire at the end of October 2026; national legislation means we cannot simply extend that lease or appoint the existing operator on a ‘rollover’ basis.” - Daily Echo

 

Millie Earl has now reversed their position on this in her statement on Sunday

 

Councillor Millie Earl said “what I can do is give you assurance that the law has been followed and that once the lease is issued, we will work with the operator to meet planning requirements. What I can’t do though, in good conscience, is instruct officers to break the law and subvert the process.” - Social Media

 

We’ve heard you ask that the process be carried out fully, including public consultation and accounting for community value, not subverted, but a flawed process stopped and started again, properly.

 

There’s a lot of questions that have been asked and we don’t have faith in the councils’ responses to date.

 

We know that the future of this site is important, and that there are a lot of stakeholders in the future of the facilities here.

 

We believe the council should take this into account with a public consultation, and stakeholder consultation, that helps drive the design of a fair public tender.

We believe the council should take this into account with a public consultation, and stakeholder consultation, that helps drive the design of a fair public tender.

 

The council can cancel the current selection and evaluation process at any time.

The council can legally extend the current operations.

The council can do this right, and they have the time and options available, the question is will they?

 

If you have questions for your councillor please find their email address below, remember they need to have confidence in the information they've been given in order to vote on behalf of you, their constituents, in tomorrow’s meeting. We worry they're being given limited, incorrect, and misleading information ahead of that vote. 

What can you do if you’re concerned?

We know you’re as concerned as we are, but it’s your councillors that need to know, they are the ones that have the power to prevent this mistake. They will be voting at a meeting on the 13th October about the future of the site. Before then you can write to your councillor and tell them if you are concerned on any grounds, including the following:

  • The timing of the process has been flawed and should be paused so it can be run properly.
  • The site should not be closed until planning permission has been achieved.
  • Councillors should have the opportunity to review the process so they can assure the public that it has been run correctly.

Only enough public concern will give the councillors a reason to query the process and ensure that it doesn’t lead to the prolonged closure of the site.

Email List of Important CouncillorsLeader of the Council - Millie Earl
[email protected] 

Portfolio Holder - Richard Herrett
[email protected]

 
BCP Councillors by Ward

Cameron Adams - Kinson
[email protected]

Sue Aitkenhead - Poole Town
[email protected]

Hazel Allen - Bournemouth Central
[email protected]

Marcus Andrews - Bearwood & Merley
[email protected]

Sara Armstrong - Eastcliff & Springbourne
[email protected]

Julie Bagwell - Hamworthy
[email protected]

Stephen Bartlett - Redhill & Northbourne
[email protected]

John Beesley - Westbourne & Westcliff
[email protected]

David Brown - Bearwood & Merley
[email protected]

Olivia Brown - Wallisdown & Winton West
[email protected]

Simon Bull - Winton East
[email protected]

Richard Burton - Bearwood & Merley
[email protected]

Judes Butt - Creekmoor
[email protected]

Partick Canavan - Boscombe West
[email protected]

Sharon Carr- Brown - Queens Park
[email protected]

John Challinor - Canford Cliffs
[email protected]

Adrian Chapman Law - Alderney & Bourne Valley
[email protected]

Brian Chick - West Southbourne
[email protected]

Eleanor Connolly - Boscombe East & Pokesdown
[email protected]

Peter Cooper - Hamworthy
[email protected]

Mike Cox - Christchurch Town
[email protected]

David d’Orton-Gibson - Westbourne & West Cliff
[email protected]

Lesley Dedman - Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe
[email protected]

Bobbie Dove - Littledown & Iford
[email protected]

Michelle Dower - Kinson
[email protected]

Millie Earl - Newtown, Heatherlands Leader of the Council
[email protected]

Jackie Edwards - Redhill & Northbourne
[email protected]

George Farquhar - Boscombe East & Pokesdown
[email protected]

Duane Farr - Kinson
[email protected]

Anne Filer - East Cliff & Springbourne
[email protected]

David Flagg - Burton & Grange
[email protected]

Matthew Gillett - Talbot & Branksome Woods
[email protected]

Crispin Goodall - Parkstone
[email protected]

Andy Hadley - Poole Town
[email protected]

Jeff Hanna - West Southbourne
[email protected]

Richard Herrett - Wallisdown & Winton West
[email protected]

Paul Hilliard - Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe
[email protected]

Brian Hitchcock - Hamworthy
[email protected]

Mark Howell - Poole Town
[email protected]

Alasdair Keddie - Queens Park
[email protected]

Marion Le Poidevin - Newtown & Heatherlands
[email protected]

Dawn Logan - Talbot & Branksome Wood
[email protected]

Sandra Mackrow - Newtown & HEatherlands
[email protected]

Andy Martin - Highcliffe & Walkford
[email protected]

David Martin - Highcliffe & Walkford
[email protected]

Gillian Martin - Boscombe West
[email protected]

Jamie Martin - Bournemouth Central
[email protected]

Chris Matthews - Canford Heath
[email protected]

Simon McCormack - Burton & Grange
[email protected]

Pete Miles - Oakdale
[email protected]

Sandra Moore - Canford Heath
[email protected]

Anne-Marie Moriarty - East Cliff & Springbourne
[email protected]

Bernadette Nanovo - East Southbourne & Tuckton
[email protected]

Lisa Northover - Muscliff & Strouden Park
[email protected]

Emily Pankhurst - Parkstone
[email protected]

Rachel Pattinson-West - Alderney & Bourne Valley
[email protected]

Margret Phipps - Commons
[email protected]

Karen Rampton - Talbot & Branksome Woods
[email protected]

Dr Felicity Rice - Oakdale
[email protected]

Judy Richardson - East Southbourne & Tuckton
[email protected]

Vanessa Ricketts - Commons
[email protected]

Chris Rigby - Winton East
[email protected]

Joe Salmon - Moordown
[email protected]

Kate Salmon - Moordown
[email protected]

Peter Sidaway - Broadstone
[email protected]

Paul Slade - Creekmoor
[email protected]

Toby Slade - Muscliffe & Strouden Park
[email protected]

Vikki Slade - Broadstone
[email protected]

Michael Tarling - Christchurch Town
[email protected]

Tony Trent - Alderney & Bourne Valley
[email protected]

Oliver Walters - Penn Hill
[email protected]

Clare Weight - Canford Heath
[email protected]

Lawerence Wiliams - Littledown & Iford
[email protected]

Kieron Wilson - Muscliffe & Strouden Park
[email protected]

Gavin Wright - Canford Cliffs
[email protected]

 
MPs for the area

Tom Hayes - Bournemouth East
[email protected]

Jessica Toale - Bournemouth West
[email protected]

Neil Duncan Jordan - Poole
[email protected]

Christopher Chope - Christchurch
[email protected]

Download a template email to send to your councillor

Outside of BCP? You can still show your concern

Email the leader of BCP & express your concern considering you travel to our location

[email protected]
and
[email protected]

 

See What People Are Saying about SOBO Beach

"I had the absolute pleasure of hosting a sea-inspired Rejuvenate workshop with Helen's Hypnotherapy at Sobo Beach Café last week for parents of special needs children and adults, and it was truly wonderful 🤩.

The owners generously donated their space, giving a group of people who really needed some time to relax and focus on self-care the perfect environment. The character of the cute vintage bus, the chilled-out, laid-back vibe, and the sound of the waves lapping on the gorgeous sandy beach is a magical setting that feels like a little slice of heaven.

Add in the amazing coffee, and from the moment you arrive, you always feel calm, inspired, and just happy. A heartfelt thank you to the team for supporting this special event, it made all the difference!"

"The Best beach and Health & wellbeing Community on the South Coast"

"This was my first time to Sobo beach bar, I traveled with friends from Bristol...The layout is awesome, the bar staff were so friendly and helpful, the beach is stunning and just a step away. What stood out the most was the entertainment, the Dj who was playing was outstanding, the perfect vibe was set with the music she played from 7 - 9:30pm... atmosphere was wicked! Will definitely be coming again to hear this Dj perform again 100%"

Copyright © SOBO Beach 2026.