A BEACHSIDE ‘business park’ is expected to go ahead this spring – exactly a year after it was initially supposed to open. 

The council-run Toft Box Park, by Toft Steps along Boscombe beach, was supposed to be up and running last Easter. 

At the time, BCP Council said up to 30 businesses expressed interest and were lined up to move into the £140k idea, however due to “severe weather” this was postponed. 

Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture, said: “Toft Steps Beach Box Park remains an exciting project which will help to attract new business and commercial activity to our seafront. 

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“We look forward to appointing final operators this spring, when we anticipate planning determination will have been finalised.”  

Planning permission to operate the businesses from three shipping containers has lapsed, meaning BCP Council had to reapply to itself. 

BCP Council said it would not reveal who the businesses are.  

Each container is available on a one-year lease for a start-up business in the BCP area. 

Three 40ft shipping containers, supplied by Lymington-based conversion company New Forest Containers, arrived on the back of lorries in March last year. 

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They are all insulated, fitted with electrics and green cladding on the exterior, and in one a toilet block is fitted with sink and taps. 

The authority said the aim of the box business park is to "establish a low-cost pathway for budding entrepreneurs, creating jobs and economic growth within leisure and tourism in Boscombe”. 

Funding for the seafront box park is from almost £22million from central government’s Towns Fund scheme for Boscombe, with the Toft Box Park costing £140,000. 

Ten projects were initially planned for the regeneration of Boscombe, with each one requiring a detailed business plan in order for the full funding to be granted.

Various other projects include a Kings Park learning and skills hub, overhauling transport connections including walking, cycling and bus routes and Wi-Fi across the town. 

However, as reported earlier this year, the Royal Arcade regeneration will no longer go ahead because of spiralling industry costs.