Beach site contract paused due to legal challenge

10 hours ago

Charlotte ColesSouth of England

SOBO Beach has been open on Southbourne seafront since summer 2022

BBC A cafe building outside with SOBO Beach written on a wooden fence. There is a pink and white car on the roof of a blue structure. In front of the fence is a strip of pavement. — SOBO Beach has been open on Southbourne seafront since summer 2022

The contract for a beach site has been paused due to the current occupier formally commencing a legal challenge against the council.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council confirmed that solicitors acting for SOBO Beach have filed legal proceedings in relation to the contract award process relating to the Southbourne beach cafe.

Last month councillors agreed that SOBO Beach could remain at the Southbourne site until September 2027. It came after BCP Council awarded a 20-year contract to a different operator to take over the location.

A council spokesperson said the contract award will be paused while the court process is ongoing and until the matter has been determined.

They added: "The council remains confident that the procurement process was conducted appropriately and in accordance with the relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

"As the matter is now subject to legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

The venue has a lease on a section of land on Southbourne Promenade that was due to expire on October 31.

BCP Council put the site out to tender and gained five expressions of interests from operators wanting to take over the site.

Three of those five were shortlisted and one, that was not SOBO Beach, was put forward by the council to take over the site for the next 20 years.

There were "mixed reactions" from supporters when the cafe was given a further 11 months to operate in October.

Dan Astin-Gregory, a local resident who set up a petition in support of the cafe being allowed to stay at the site permanently, said at the time: "We welcome another summer season for SOBO Beach, which we love.

"But the decision has mixed feelings because it still shows that the council's proceeding with its preferred bidder."

Dan Astin-Gregory spoke at campaign events aimed at keeping SOBO Beach open

Dan Astin-Gregory A group of people stood looking at a man holding a microphone on stage. There is a purple light on the stage. In the foreground you can see the back of the heads of a small crowd of about 25 people. The man on stage is wearing a dark tshirt and has short dark hair. — Dan Astin-Gregory spoke at campaign events aimed at keeping SOBO Beach open

Posting on social media on Wednesday, Tom Hayes, Labour MP for Bournemouth East, said the legal challenge is a "positive, constructive step for everyone involved".

"Given that the procurement standstill period for the proposed agreement was due to expire today, 11 November, I strongly welcome this development," he said.

"It gives everyone breathing space to review the procurement process, understand where things stand, and consider what should happen next."

Campaign group Save SOBO Beach said in a post on social media that it welcomes and supports the legal challenge.