The beach cafe people are fighting to keep open

The future of a "community-based" beachside café facing closure is due to be decided at a council meeting.

More than 8,000 people have signed a petition calling for SOBO Beach, in Bournemouth, to remain open.

The venue, which employs 20 people, has a lease on a section of land on Southbourne Promenade that expires on October 31.

After running a tender process, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said SOBO Beach was not the preferred choice, and a decision would be made at a full council meeting later.

"We've had this huge community that has grown up around us. It represents people from every walk of life," manager Rich Slater said.

"Whether it's for the music events, yoga classes, small workshops, group meetings, or just individuals who come down for a coffee and escape from the world around them."

Regular customer Karen Tubbs visits daily with her dog and is part of a weekend sea swimming group.

"It's such a lovely community here. The staff are really nice," she said.

Karen questioned why the council would want to change something she believed was "so successful and clearly loved by everybody".

Jess Pulley is one of the managers at SOBO Beach and describes the place as "one of the most vibrant, community-based, interesting places to work".

Charlie Martin. who is on maternity leave, said it had brought a lot of business to the south coast.

"The family restaurant that used to be here before it was quite derelict it was a really quiet place," she said.

"Whereas now it's a very buzzy lively place to be all year round, really nice atmosphere, lovely spot to bring the children as well, so yeah I love it."

BCP Council's cabinet unanimously recommended granting a new 20-year lease to another operator, with the final decision to be made by full council.

Councillor Richard Herrett, the council's cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said five organisations had expressed an interest in the site, with three shortlisted.

He said the process had been "very competitive" and the council had to comply with financial and procurement regulations.

"In line with the Procurement Act 2023, all opportunities need to be marketed on a fair, transparent and competitive basis. This is the law," he said.

He said proposals were assessed against criteria including value for money for taxpayers, business plans, infrastructure and social and community benefits.

Whichever operator is chosen will take over from 1 December.