Bournemouth | Posted on June 15th, 2026 | return to news

Age-friendly Bournemouth project up for national award

An initiative to make Bournemouth Town Centre better for the elderly has been shortlisted for an award.

Bournemouth’s efforts to make the town centre more accessible and attractive to the area’s ageing population has been recognised by a national award scheme.

The Age Friendly Bournemouth Town Centre project was put together by Bournemouth Town Centre BID, BCP Council, and the Centre for Ageing Better.

The project has been shortlisted in the Best Social and Community Contribution category at the national Town and City Management Industry Awards 2026, which is run by the Association of Town and City Management.

Bournemouth Town Centre BID board member Rachel Woodward-Carrick, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Bournemouth recognised nationally for this work. This project has always been about creating a town centre where people feel welcome, valued and able to enjoy everything Bournemouth has to offer, regardless of age.

“The nomination reflects the commitment shown by local businesses, BCP Council, the Centre for Ageing Better and the many older residents who helped shape the project from the very beginning.”

The project supports businesses in welcoming and assisting older residents and visitors to the area. Over the past year, the project has inspired businesses throughout Bournemouth Town Centre to embrace age-friendly practices. These include customer service training, the Age Friendly Charter, and the Take A Seat campaign, which encourages businesses to provide a welcoming place for visitors to rest without any obligation to make a purchase.

This project is crucial, because Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) has one of the fastest ageing populations in the country. Across BCP, 41 per cent of residents are already aged 50 or over, with that figure expected to grow by up to 10 per cent by 2031. Nationally, older households are expected to account for 63 pence in every £1 spent by 2040, highlighting the growing importance of creating places and services that work for people of all ages.

Working with the Centre for Ageing Better, the project helped businesses better understand older customers’ needs and created a more welcoming, inclusive town environment. They also provided valuable insights into how town centres can adapt to an ageing population while supporting local businesses and community wellbeing.

Cllr Sandra Moore, Cabinet member for Communities at BCP Council said: “Creating an age-friendly town centre is key to helping people live well across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. This project shows the impact of strong partnerships in building welcoming, inclusive places, and it’s fantastic to see Bournemouth Town Centre recognised nationally as part of our wider Age Friendly Communities work.”