Violence against Taxi drivers in Bournemouth

Boscombe Seafront Development

Institutional racism in Bournemouth

Predicted hike in interest rate causes concern

Small businesses in and around Bournemouth will be adversely affected if there is another interest rate hike as forecasted by economists.

Global Insight chief UK and European economist Howard Archer has predicted another rise in interest rates owing it to Britain’s economic growth in recent times.

However, this is cause of concern for mortgage holders and small business owners all over the country and so much more in Bournemouth.

“Bournemouth attracts many small businessmen and being a tourist place this can adversely affect many,” says Mr. Timothy Bacon, owner of The Cuckoo Inn near the new forest area.

“It is a headache if it increases again,” he says adding that most people who hold mortgages and loans stop spending as much when interest rates go up which in turn has a toll on his business.

The Bank of England’s decision to increase interest rates by 0.25 per cent to 5.25 per cent earlier this month was a verdict that had investors smiling but most borrowers were unhappy.

Statistics reveal that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by an estimated 2.7 per cent last year after unexpected output during the last few months.

According to Mr. Archer this has given rise to inflation and this can be only curbed again with another interest-rate hike.

However, Mr. Bacon, who now owns four pubs in the area, says: “It is only in theory that interest rate hike curbs inflation. In real, it leads to a price hike and people’s spending power is less especially that of borrowers.”

Srikanth Ranganathan, who owns a news agency in Springbourne, Bournemouth says: “I have a loan from the bank as well and I can’t think of how to deal with another interest rate hike if it happens. I hope it won’t.”

On the other hand, Cheryl Laurie an employee at Llyods TSB in Bournemouth and a regular investor says: “I save regularly and my flat is rented not on a mortgage so it sounds good to me.”

While the very suggestion of another interest rate raise has aroused concern among people, an actual hike might even do worse as Mr. Bacon said, “I hope its one of those forecasts that doesn’t materialize."

Save as Draft

Barratt blocks Boscombe sea view

Residents at Boscombe Seafront are unhappy about a Barratt Homes construction that will block their ‘priceless’ sea-view.

Honeycombe Beach, a residential development undertaken by Barratt Homes a national housing development group will soon come up by the Boscombe seafront obstruction the sea-view of the existing buildings that face the ocean.

Honeycombe Beach has been planned to attract new residents to the area and it will built on the place where there now stands a parking lot.

A local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The authorities were well aware of our feelings. My flat faces the ocean and the parking lot and when this thing comes up what’s the point in having a house here. I don’t want to go to my window and look at other people’s houses.”

She adds that a formal protest that was launched was

Andrew Emery, Seafront Service Officer said: “We had to sell the parking lot by the sea to raise money for the artificial reef which is a part of our plan for the new look Boscombe will get. It is for the larger good and I’m sure those who are upset will be fine once the new look sets in.”

“There’s always going to be one or two protagonists and we can’t please everyone,” adds Chris Saunders, the Seafront development manager pointing out that a new residential area only means a hike in local business and economy.

Barratt homes held an Open day on Saturday, January 27 in the Chines Hotel on Boscombe Spa road to showcase their flats in Honeycombe Beach which is now open for sale.

The open day welcomed a crowd of potential residents but those in authority at Barratt Homes were unavailable to comment on the woes of the existing residents.

We are Youth!

YOUTH. We’re a horde of fervent yet frolicking, steely-eyed and unassuming, paged-out-of-this-generation group of kids. And yes, YOUTH! That’s who we are. Period.

We won’t let norms subdue us. We won’t let systems restrict us. We won’t let the media label us. We’re YOUTH. Youth, who refuse to let ourselves be judged by our libido. We refuse to let ourselves be classified as bizarre or unconventional. We are here to reform what’s conventional. To make the unusual routine. To raise the standards, to push the limits of the possible, to think creatively, to act ardently, to laugh loudly, to have fun living this one life we have.

This generation may not accept our style, our lingo or our fashions. We don’t expect them to, either. They won’t understand us. We’re a stride ahead. Our mannerisms and fads hide our high intellect and our ability to reason. We may come across as shallow or trivial, but the world has no clue how intense we are or how profound we can be. Let’s beat it! We are the soul of mankind. The youth of this planet. The energy that drives the country. And we care less for those we look down on us and compartmentalize us.

YOUTH. We are the youth that so drive the government up their walls and get our teachers and elders worried. But we’re substance. We have a voice and a strong one for that. We only want the real stuff. Authentic things to believe in. Rational logic that needs no proof. Genuine principles to put our trust in. We have an acute sense of judgment. We can identify fakes just like that. We can tell what’s the difference between Coke and Pepsi. We selectively vote for the relatively less corrupt politicians. And we know which part of culture is humbug. We’re basically smart.

And you, you there reading this: We are you. You are us. What we are trying to say is that we’re the same. YOUTH. Youth, always looking for something that promises to elevate our senses. A higher high. A more elaborated level of ecstasy. A permanent state of bliss. A lasting hang over. We won’t rest till we find it. Eternal EUPHORIA.

Council tackles graffiti with cash reward

Winton residents are skeptical about the effect of the Council's plan to offer a £100 reward for reports which lead to the arrest and conviction of a notorious Winton graffiti artist.

Winton's rising graffiti problem has left residents upset, but the effectiveness of the council's latest scheme is yet to be seen.

Locals have continually voiced their concerns at monthly Winton forum meetings and now the council has taken the issue into its own hands.

However, not all residents think that the council's cash incentive will work.

Barber Richard Hopkins, of Withermoor Road, Winton says: "There is obviously one person or a particular gang responsible and you can tell this because most of the graffiti styles are similar and they all have the same signature below that says 'TMC'."

Mr Hopkins used to be a graffiti artist as a teenager and he adds: "Graffiti in itself is not bad, it's a lovely art. These kids have no youth groups or places where they can meet and let out their creativity. The council should not only be set on catching the guilty. They should also look to help them use their talents in a creative way."

Winton doesn't have a local youth group, which has further angered locals.

A local newsagent owner who didn't want to be named is doubtful that the council will do anything productive to tackle the issue: "Young idiots who have nothing to do are responsible for this mess. What the council needs to do is give them a separate wall or a place to do their work, so that our businesses are not affected. The council could at least send someone to try and clean up the mess and repaint."

Head of Pest Control and Specialist Cleaning at the council, Nick Wedge, admits that more can be done to catch the culprits than just offering rewards: "Basically, CCTV cameras are the most effective way to get a lead on this problem."

However, most streets in Bournemouth with graffiti issues do not yet have CCTV cameras.