BCP Council refuse to release business case for Bayside restaurant

As reported, the local authority opened Bayside restaurant between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers in August last year.

The restaurant was funded by the council and was open for just one month in a barn-style wooden framed marquee.

Read more: BCP Council's Bayside restaurant lost £176k in four weeks

It lost more than £175,000 in the short time it was open.

The loss was revealed at BCP Council’s full meeting earlier this month, when Cllr Andy Martin said how astonishing he found it, adding there was not a business case for it.

We asked the council if there was a business case. They initially said there was.

The Daily Echo asked for a redacted copy of it.

But after more than two weeks, a spokesperson said they would not be able to release the business case documents to us, not even in a redacted format.

The council has cited commercial sensitivities as the reason for the refusal.

A spokesperson said: “Our innovative approach towards the seafront is supporting our ambition to be one of the best coastal places in the world in which to live, work, invest and play.

Read more: Changes at Bayside Restaurant after opening week reviews

“These initiatives have brought a choice of dining experiences, and their popularity is reflected in the number of seafront visitors enjoying these and everything else our coastline offers.

“It is this bold approach to seafront enhancement that generates surplus income; this year, predicted at £6m, which supports other council services, for the benefit of all residents.

“Bayside Restaurant was the expansion of a quality dining experience on a site and in a structure already in place for Bournemouth Air Festival. This marquee had proved very successful, and the subsequent four-week trial was designed to expand on what was already in place.

“There are a variety of contracts in operation on the seafront. We look at a range of options before entering final agreements with businesses. A partnership approach was chosen for Bayside and, as part of this, a series of specific budget scenarios and projections were produced to make the original business case for this particular restaurant. Due to the commercial sensitivities of the information involved we will not be releasing the documents."

“Whilst Bayside did not meet our financial expectations, our overall approach delivered a successful range of beach restaurants across our seafront, which contributed significant profits to help support Council services.”