Boscombe has bad reputation.

But has it always been like this and when did ‘things go wrong’?

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Boscombe Cottage, which stood in grounds of sixteen acres, was built in 1801, nine years before Lewis Tregonwell started building a seaside house for his wife along the coast to the west, and put the foundations of what was going to become Bournemouth. Through most of the 19th century the two settlements developed completely independently of each other.

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It was not until 1876 that Boscombe became part of Bournemouth for administration purposes.

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Boscombe’s initial prosperity came from privately built large houses with supposedly health-giving properties. It also benefited from the growth of tourism.

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But since the early 90s, Boscombe has been one of Bournemouth’s major problematic areas.

So what went 'wrong'? How did Boscombe gain its reputation as a centre of drugs use?

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The beginning of it all was marked with the emergence and big concentration of HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupation). These are houses or accomodations, supporting people with drug or alcohol addiction and owned by private individuals.

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The standards of accommodation in these bed-sits were lower and the population turnover was relatively high, with low rent rates. This type of housing also prevented people from establishing a sustainable community.

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The HMOs are still an issue nowadays, although the Government says their number has been reduced and the living standards improved.

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From the 1990s crime and drug dealing has been significantly reduced. But, according to residents, it is still not safe enough and further action is needed.

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Boscombe has the potential to become an amazing tourist destination because of its stunning landscpe and beaches. However, this would be hard to achieve due to the stigma around the place.

 

What needs to be focused on is cutting down crime rates of robberies, burglaries,violence, getting rid of dealers and drugs in the area and then bringing more positive and artistic communities, bigger shop chains, rather than the private 'lower class' shops.

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Boscombe’s future could take a new direction with some support of The Bournemouth Council and Dorset Police, residents and volunteers.

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This probably wouldn't happen overnight, it could be a long journey, but definitely worth it.