A genuine ‘Bournemouth Boy’ and owner of GameGrid, Andy Price has lived in the area all his life (with a few trips away!) Andy’s entrepreneurial determination, drive and vision has successfully created award-winning WestBeach, Print Room and Aruba – a portfolio of restaurants that has helped put Bournemouth on the ‘foodie map’.

Now living in Poole, the wonderful area is, for him, accessible and close to London, ultimately ‘the best of both worlds’…We wanted to find out more about the BTMB Sector Head for Attractions.

From your point of view how has the town changed?
“I’ve seen and experienced the town from a number of different perspectives; in my teens and twenties, growing up with entertainment and nightlife and from a business angle. I have always worked in the area and have seen how the business community has grown, developed and become much more sophisticated. I have also brought up my family here.

Having seen the town from those perspectives; teenager, businessman and father, we have improved the offer beyond belief! With the entertainment, BSO in the Park, culture and retail I really feel living here is ten times better than what it was back in the seventies and eighties. The beach is second to none and there is a great calendar of events, facilities, the Gardens, attractions – Bournemouth is the best town in the UK!

The great thing about businesses here is that they would be a success in any inland town but we have the added bonus of an extra 5 million visitors to our resort and it doesn’t get much better than that! We’re attracting better people to work and live here and from that perspective the town has changed enormously.

What is your role as ‘Attractions Representative’?
My role is to represent the commercial interests of all leisure business operators – Night-Time Economy, theatre, sport, restaurants and attractions. To get more business for the traders, let them know opportunity is there and ultimately create more and better business for the town’s leisure operators, while also representing their needs and views as a conduit between them and the Council.

How were you elected to your role?
I was elected Chairman of the Bournemouth Leisure and Attractions Group which gave me my position on the Tourism Management Board.

What achievements do you have for your Sector?
Represent them to the best of my abilities and have clear cut achievements – such as the Air Festival; all the operators were fully briefed last year and we must work to maximise on this and make the most of this great opportunity.

What are you doing to support the More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival?
We’re heavily promoting it, giving post cards with all the customer bills, it’s on the internet, our letterheads, till receipts, posters are up. As sector representative I have been feeding back regular developments and updates to the Operators.

What are your greatest personal and professional achievements?
Greatest personal achievement has to be giving up smoking – that was tough! Professionally it has to be getting Best Seafood Restaurant in England for WestBeach that was right up there!