Category Archive: News

Farewell to ABC Cinema in Bournemouth

ABC Cinema in Bournemouth

Image CC: Alwyn Ladell

The final film has been shown in the last remaining high street cinema with the ABC brand.

The Odeon-owned cinema on Westover Road in Bournemouth has been sold and is due to be redeveloped into flats.

ABC – Associated British Cinemas – cinema in Bournemouth began in 1928, with the brand name gradually disappearing following its takeover by Odeon in 2000.

The last screening was Back to the Future which was shown in aid of charity Dorset Mind. ABC was one of the biggest names during the post-war heyday of British cinema-going.

The Westover Road building first opened its doors as a 2,515-seat cinema in June 1937, showing the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical Shall We Dance.

The ABC cinema in Bournemouth was divided into three screens in the 1970s but its 634-seat main auditorium remained one of the largest in the UK.

Film enthusiast Adrian Cox, who tours cinemas across the country, said the ABC cinema in Bournemouth was his favourite.

He said: “It’s an event to watch a movie there. It has perfect sight-lines. A very tall person in front of you is never in the way because of the steep banking.”

Mr Cox, who hired the cinema for a private screening of the once-banned Monty Python film Life of Brian, said modern cinemas tended to be smaller, less well decorated and “like little boxes”.

The other Odeon cinema on Westover Road is also earmarked for closure ahead of the opening of the new BH2 leisure complex, planned for Bournemouth Square.

Cinema general manager Spencer Clark said: “It was one of the flagship cinemas for ABC and it’s a fond farewell for what is a great venue.

The remain cinemas in Bournemouth are:

  • Odeon Cinema Bournemouth (35-43 Westover Road)
  • Pavilion Dance (Westover Road Bournemouth Dorset)
  • Regent Centre Cinema (51 High Street Christchurch Dorset)
  • Empire Cinema Poole (Tower Park, Poole)
  • Lighthouse Poole – Cinema (21 Kingland Road, Poole)

Source: BBC

Hilton Bournemouth Hotel is Now Open

Hilton Bournemouth Hotel

Hilton Worldwide Sets Sail In Bournemouth

Hilton Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of its newest property in the UK, Hilton Bournemouth. The new hotel joins 67 hotels within the Hilton portfolio across the country, including new additions at London Bankside and the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

Classic design and quirky innovation are central to the hotel’s aesthetic, with bespoke interiors and furnishings designed exclusively for Hilton Bournemouth by Ray Kelvin throughout. Hilton Bournemouth was developed by privately owned property company THAT Group, which owns the hotel and neighbouring Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth. Housed in a soaring glass structure, the 172-room property offers panoramic views to the coast and across the popular seaside town.

“With miles of beaches and buzzing nightlife, Bournemouth was a natural fit for Hilton Hotels & Resorts to bring its brand of hospitality and continue its expansion in the UK,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. “This property incorporates cutting edge design with all the Hilton touches our guests identify with. Our collaboration with THAT Group and the opportunity to incorporate Ray Kelvin’s design expertise has created a posh getaway for travelers to create memorable experiences.”

Local craftsmanship and design influences are visible around the hotel, including specially curated items celebrating the best of British design. Artworks include a collection of local Poole Pottery, one of the largest on public display, and Colin Moore’s mural of Poole Harbour, which hangs in reception.

Peter Tisdale, THAT Group, said: “After four years’ hard work we are delighted to finally open the doors of the Hilton Bournemouth, as part of our Terrace Mount development.

“No ordinary design, the exquisitely curated hotel incorporates refined aesthetics with a quirky edge. Sitting perfectly alongside the innovative design and technological industries of the area, it’s a real head turner. We’re excited to welcome guests and hope they take some time to put their feet up, relax and enjoy their surroundings.

“Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this impressive project over the four year period, your dedication is appreciated.”

Featuring eight unique meeting spaces and one of the largest ballrooms in Bournemouth, capable of hosting more than 350 guests, the hotel has collaborated with THAT Group to create a series of themed rooms capturing the pace, creativity and diversity of business. From typewriters emerging out of the walls to bowler hats hanging from the ceiling, each space offers guests a breath of fresh air.

Schpoons & Forx restaurant, created and overseen by renowned chef Matt Tebbutt, offers guests the very best of British cuisine with a contemporary twist. Fresh, seasonal sharing plates sit alongside dishes from the tandoor and stone oven. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s highest bar, LEVEL8IGHT The Sky Bar, promises to wow guests. Visitors can savor bespoke cocktails whilst enjoying spectacular views across the Bournemouth coast line.

The hotel is home to one of the UK’s first eforea spas as well, offering guests personalised, transformative journeys to help invigorate, relax and revitalise. Four treatment rooms sit alongside a 20-metre indoor pool, sauna, salon and 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness suite.

Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said: “Bournemouth has set a precedent for holiday makers and we’re proud to continue this tradition in the form of Hilton Bournemouth, the arrival of which has transformed the south coast skyline. Bournemouth is home to the UK’s fastest-growing digital economy, and our hotel embodies this innovative spirit. It is a great pleasure to welcome our newest hotel in Bournemouth.”

Situated only a short walk from the town centre, Bournemouth’s famous blue flag beach and Bournemouth Gardens, the hotel is also within close proximity to renowned conference and entertainment venue the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). In addition, superb transport connections mean Bournemouth Airport is within easy reach, offering flight routes across the UK and Europe.

Hilton Bournemouth participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only hotel loyalty programme that allows members to earn Points & Miles® on the same stay and No Blackout Dates on reward stays. HHonors members always get Hilton’s lowest price with its Best Price Guarantee, along with HHonors Points, free Wi-Fi, digital check-in and no booking fees only when they book directly through Hilton.

Hilton Bournemouth is located on Terrace Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5EL. For more information or to make reservations, please visit Hilton Bournemouth or call +44 (0)1202 804 775.

View more news about Hilton Hotels & Resorts openings and a development map at news.hilton.com/openings, and learn more about Hilton Bournemouth at news.hilton.com/bournemouth.

Source: Hospitalitynet.org

Bournemouth Wheels Festival is back!

Bournemouth  Wheels Festival

Bournemouth Wheels Festival is back!

Gear up for the UK’s biggest FREE wheels-themed family event this weekend, 29th-31st May. Adrenaline-fuelled historic F1 and Le Mans car demos, car-crushing monster truck shows, heart-stopping motorbike, skateboard and BMX stunts, supercar shows, beautiful vintage displays and NEW for 2015 – the Wheels Festival Shuttle Bus!

For the first time, this year Wheels comes to Southbourne on Saturday 30th May from 4 – 10pm! Thanks to our festival partner, Bournemouth Coastal Business Improvement District (BID), this fun-filled fringe event will feature a selection of historic motors and supercars against a backdrop of street performers and family entertainment.

This year, a pop-up stunt arena on the Demonstration Straight, featuring precision driving expert Paul Swift, who attempts to drive a car along East Over cliff Drive on just two wheels! The Heart Monster Truck Arena, which is double the size of last year’s arena and is home to a heart-stopping stunt attempt to jump the monster trucks!

Timetable

The Bournemouth wheels festival site is open from 10am – 10pm on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May and from 10am – 6pm on Sunday 31st May

More can be found at the official website Bournemouthwheels.co.uk

Bournemouth IMAX to reopen

Despite plans by Bournemouth council to buy out the leaves of the currently closed IMAX cinema in the city, operators Sheridan have announced that they intend to re-open the cinema at the ‘earliest possible opportunity’ and screen the latest 3-D movies.

Sheridan has only used on IMAX theatre until 2149 but since it closed down, the council has bought the head lease for the building itself for £5 million with plans to demolish it.  With Sheridan still owning lease to hear to itself and with plans to continue operating, the bouncers demolishing rows look unlikely to succeed.

Avalon Beach Hotel Voted in UK’s Top 10

Avalon Beach Hotel

The Avalon Beach Hotel in Bournemouth has been voted the 8th best hotel in the UK in a public poll on Trip Advisor.

The Hotel is located just 2 minutes walk from the Southbourne beach and has developed a strong following of guests who have fallen in love with its clean, modern interiors combed with warm, friendly service that is often lacking in modern chain hotels.

Every room at Avalon Beach Hotel includes a kitchenette and a refrigerator, and the bathrooms offer showers and bathrobes. Each provides a range of entertainment amenities, such as a DVD player and movies-on-demand.

Avalon Beach Hotel Southbourne houses a restaurant and a bar where guests can relax of an evening. A range of breakfast options are on offer in the hotel’s dining room.

The area surrounding Avalon Beach Hotel is well-known for its vibrant nightlife, with lots of places to go for a drink or dance. It is within a 20-minute walk of Pokesdown Railway Station, which allows for easy access in and around Bournemouth.

Despite only being rated as 2 star hotels, the Avalon Beach hotel scores 5 stars in the eyes of its guests by never disappointing.

Compare Prices for Avalon Beach Hotel…

Welcome to Bournemouth Hotels Fairy

Bournemouth Hotels Fairy

Bournemouth Hotels Fairy

We are delighted to announce the launch of Bournemouth Hotels Fairy, a dedicated micro-site of the hotel price comparison website Hotels Fairy.  We’ll be bringing you dedicated information about Bournemouth, one of the UK‘s top seaside spa towns to help you save money, save time and get the most out of your visit to Bournemouth. Click here to read more »