Bournemouth riviera
The UK summer is synonymous with a good old fashioned British seaside holiday - but now the resorts of Bournemouth and Poole are moving with the times and will accept the Euro as payment in a bid to attract our continental cousins and increase the number of tourists this summer...
Two well known English seaside resorts will accept Euros from visitors this summer - so some European visitors can now buy an icecream, rent a deckchair or order a pint without converting their cash into pound sterling.
Although the resorts represent a very traditional kind of holiday and their wholesome beach hut breaks hark back to days gone by - as they are so reliant on seasonal tourism, they have been looking at new ways to entice continental visitors.
As well as attracting more foreign visitors, it is hoped that the new Euro scheme will also appeal to British families who cannot afford an overseas holiday, but who have Euros left over from previous breaks.
Mark Smith, Tourism Director for Bournemouth, said, "While it is obvious we're all hoping for an early end to the economic crisis, the recovery may not come in time for the peak summer season.
"Just in case, we've teamed up with our colleagues in Poole to make summertime living even easier."
Whilst experts are predicting that the new Euro idea could inject as much as £10 million into the local economy, so far only 20 businesses have signed up to the scheme, including smaller family-run firms and boutique hotels. They will accept only Euro notes and will give Change in pounds and pence. There will be a one-to-one exchange rate.
Graham Richardson, Poole's Tourism Director, said, "It's a small start but we're confident we can sign up lots more hotels and restaurants - every little helps."
Tourism chiefs estimate that every leftover 20-Euro note lost down the side of the sofa or forgotten in a drawer in British homes could pay for a sunbed on Bournemouth beach for five days, 12 boxes of Dorset fudge, or fish and chips for a family of five on Poole Quay.
Tune in for a BeachPod
Bournemouth has another reason to be celebrating this summer - the Boscombe beach pods, which are the most innovative beach huts in the UK - are attracting high levels of interest from buyers despite the crunch.
The pods are unique in that, rather than the traditional wooden huts seen along Bournemouth's seven miles of golden sands, the pods are situated within the Boscombe Overstrand complex.
The 1950s Overstrand building was a neglected, dilapidated concrete and wooden post-modernist complex, which had been closed to members of the public for over a decade. Bringing it back into life, while keeping many of the original features and adding mod-cons, the Overstrand refurbishment takes the beach hut into the 21st Century.
Designed by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway MBE of HemingwayDesign, each pod is a piece of art in its own right as it features a retro, coastal artwork from Wayne Hemingway's personal collection, creating a unique feature wall.
The kitsch artwork of each beach pod is repeated on the door plaques and key fobs. Pods can be chosen on their position and artwork design and will feature mains electricity, hot and cold running water, and French doors leading onto a small private balcony over looking the beach and Europe's first artificial surf reef which is anticipated to be completed in September this year.
More than 400 people have pre-registered their interest in purchasing the beach pods, which will be for use in daytime only.
Savills has been confirmed as the sales agent and has unveiled prices; £64,995 (inc. VAT) for a single pod and £89,995 (inc. VAT) for a double.
Wayne Hemingway of HemingwayDesign says, "The Beach Pods at the Overstrand will simply be the best in the world. We love Bournemouth and the project is one of the most exciting we've ever done. The Overstrand excites us both as designers, and as people interested in seaside regeneration.
"It's the restoration of a cool, historic building. With the great work being done on the Pier and Europe's first artificial surf reef, Boscombe is about to become big news.
"We are designing wonderful, unique beach chalets for both surfers and beach lovers alike. We want to re-establish a sense of community on Boscombe seafront, by creating something modern and unique, yet still retain the purity of this historic building," he added.
Picture by EnglishRose247