Westbourne
Simon and the Grand Bingo, Westbourne
Simon and the Grand Bingo, Westbourne. Travelling through Westbourne on Poole Road, you can’t help but notice the Grand Bingo, Westbourne. Built as the Grand Cinema and seating 1,000, it opened on 18 December 1922 to “Anthony & Cleopatra”. Initially built and operated as an independent cinema, it was soon taken over by Savoy Cinemas,…
RL Stevenson Avenue, Westbourne, Bournemouth
RL Stevenson Avenue. Continuing along Seamoor Road, the next turning we come to is RL Stevenson Avenue. This runs down to Alum Chine Road, which it is parallel to for most of its length, before its neighbour takes a sharp turn to the west. Largely a residential road, there is still plenty of interest. Almost…
Alum Chine Road
Alum Chine Road Partway round the Seamoor Road loop, Alum Chine Road starts its somewhat tortuous route. At the northern end, it is fairly straight. There are some shops and businesses either side, including the library. Westbourne Library has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, and will be the subject of a separate article later. As…
Poole Road – North Side
Westbourne’s Poole Road (North Side). Having looked at the south side, we return to the former Royal Victoria Hospital, and continue along the north side of Poole Road. Almost immediately, we come across two retirement homes. Interestingly, they are in total contrast to each other. One is a very modern and attractive purpose-built facility, the…
Westbourne Arcade
Westbourne Arcade – a Covered Shopping Treasure in Westbourne Westbourne Arcade is a Grade II Listed structure. It runs between Poole Road and Seamoor Road, and sports symmetrical façades of red brick with stone dressings at either end. Gothic style windows enhance the cathedral-like appearance. Amongst the features are gargoyles at the head of each…