Bournemouth Arcade, also known as Henry Joy's Arcade

The spot is now home to Bournemouth Arcade, also known as Henry Joy's Arcade or Gervis Arcade, which runs between Gervis Place and Old Christchurch Road.

Henry Joy, a businessman and wealthy landowner, had the idea of making the area into a shopping district. Many of the locals were opposed to the plans and some even protested.

Henry was ridiculed by locals and media at the time and his plans became known as “Joy's Folly”.

But Joy pushed on and the main thoroughfare for the new centre was built in the exact position of the old bridge which once provided passage over a glen and was beautifully covered in ivy and wild roses.

Work on the arcade began in 1866 and took seven years to complete – with the roof not being added until 1873.

Construction was plagued with problems, mainly because of difficulty with the foundations and the project threatened to bankrupt Joy.

But his folly soon became a success when the units increased in value year after year.

A blue plaque hangs on the exterior and reads: "Bournemouth Arcade 1866.

"Built by Henry Joy originally as two rows of shops.

"the glazed arcade roof was added in 1872."

Following on from his success with Gervis Arcade, Joy set his sights on building another familiar shopping arcade - Westbourne Arcade.