Autumn walk in Bournemouth for @@ninalanyon

@Jacko1971 No, I didn't see one.

@meggie https://www.bournemouthballoon.com/

@meggie Ah, Debenhams! Good to see that at least one old Debenhams has been repurposed instead of just boarded up. The 'plant section' is actually a bar and cafe with live music in the evenings. It was very comfortable and the view was great but the lack of cake was annoying, there really wasn't anything to eat with the coffee. I think they were missing out because I could see quite a few tables occupied by people just drinking coffee who I'm sure would have bought a pastry or a cake had there been any.

@ninalanyon it's a shame we've lost so many great dept stores; Debenham, BHS, House of Frazer, C&A, TJ Hughes, and lots of independent ones too. There are virtually no supermarket cafes left now, all gone or replaced with Costa Coffee. A lot of the M&S stores have closed down and moved into out of town retail parks, too. I will check out that bar if I get back to Bournemouth again. I did eat in tgere when it was a Debs restaurant. They would make a lot more money if they had a cake and biscuit selection. Perhaps they don't have a food licence. Once you sell food, you do get monitored and closed down if standards are not met.

@meggie The Botanist definitely has a food license but it is mostly cooked to order hot food and a couple of desserts. And both more food and more expensive than I wanted. So I don't think that's the reason.

@mainvane in the far south in winter I believe

@OldBrit most of the shops have shut now which is a shame. But the German markets are being set up as usual and the ice skating rink.

@meggie we were there briefly in the summer. Love Dorset

@OldBrit @meggie, I worked in Weymouth and Boscombe for 5 months back in 1989 - I still have great affection for Dorset.

@HotPizza71 shame it was too cold for me to swim, but a few were.

@meggie have heard the sea is still mild in temperature( fit England anyway).. not sure id go for a dip at this time of the year though 🤪

@HotPizza71 yes it's been around 16 degrees here in Dorset.