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Westbourne, Dorset

Westbourne
Victorian arcade, Westbourne - geograph.org.uk - 1056455.jpg
Victorian arcade at Westbourne
Westbourne is located in Dorset
Westbourne
Westbourne
Westbourne shown within Dorset
Population 10,365 (2011)
OS grid reference SZ071911
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Bournemouth
Postcode district BH4
Dialling code 01202
Police Dorset
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Dorset
50°43′11″N 1°53′55″W / 50.7196°N 1.8985°W / 50.7196; -1.8985Coordinates: 50°43′11″N 1°53′55″W / 50.7196°N 1.8985°W / 50.7196; -1.8985

Westbourne is an affluent residential and shopping area of Bournemouth, Dorset. It is located in between Branksome, Poole and the centre of Bournemouth, just off the main A338. Poole Road, mainly full of specialised shops and small cafes, runs though the centre Westbourne with Seamoor Road curving round bringing more shops and services. Many of the shops have residential property above them.

The area has become a fashionable and popular part of Bournemouth with a unique mix of clothing shops, cafés, restaurants and many other independent businesses. Westbourne has a reputation for being the fashion district of Bournemouth, which is supported by the many boutiques and home interior shops located in the main shopping area. The main high street of Westbourne includes a Victorian covered shopping arcade linking Poole Road and Seamoor Road. On 13 March 2007 a large M&S Simply Food replaced the Waitrose store which has recently moved to the Upper Parkstone area of Poole. There are several international language schools in Westbourne.

Until it was closed in 1965, Westbourne had a train station known as Bournemouth West Station Terminus. The station was often very busy during the summer seasons, as it was a main disembarkation point for holidaymakers to Poole and Bournemouth. Westbourne also had an ornate cinema called "The Grand", that is now a bingo hall.

Westbourne is also home to the head office of the Liverpool Victoria Group which has three buildings, Frizzell House in the centre of County Gates roundabout, with Victoria and County Gates houses close by. It is a large local employer with around 1600 staff.

Many local traders are members of the Westbourne Traders Association (WTA). The group promotes the interests of the traders and aims to raise the profile of Westbourne to tourists and local residents. In May 2009, the WTA released a free map and business directory with distribution across the South coast. In 2011 a new campaign to promote Westbourne as a shopping and tourism destination was launched under the name 'Discover Westbourne'. A new website listing all shops and businesses in Westbourne was launched by the businesses at www.discoverwestbourne.co.uk.


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