It’s True Bournemouth “Gaza Strip” does exist, at least that’s what the locals in the suburb of Charminster call it.
A Bit About Bournemouth
Bournemouth or ” Sunny Bournemouth ” lies around 100 miles south of London on the South Coast of England nearly opposite the Isle of Wight famous for it’s Music Festival and many Yacht Regatta’s.
The Town is home to over 200,000 people which swells by many more thousands at weekends and during the Summer months as it is a well known Resort with many Hotels, Restaurants, and Leisure activities.
At one point in Bournemouth’s history there were more Hotel Bedrooms within it’s boundaries than any other city in Europe outside of London, approximately 30,000 beds.
The Town also benefits by being a Premier English Language Teaching Centre with many schools attracting students from all over the World to learn English.
Where to Go – What to Do
Bournemouth is in the County of Dorset and is an ideal Tourist base. Tourist’s benefit from a 9 mile Sandy Beach and it is also well placed for visits to Salisbury, Stonehenge, Winchester, the New Forest and Dorchester the Famous Market Town residing in whats known as ” Hardy Country “. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is only 45 minutes away, with over 90 miles of stunning coastline containing fossils 180 million years old recording Earths History.
The weather is so clement Palm trees flourish year round, it’s a very Green Town with many Parks and an abundance of fine Championship Golf Courses. It also benefits from it’s growing International Airport which already services many European Countries with direct flights to major cities and resorts in the Mediterranean.
Nearby is the Sandbanks Penisula which has some of the most Expensive homes in the World, the houses have beautiful views of the Purbeck Hills and across one of the World’s largest and most stunning Natural Harbours anywhere, it provides the perfect environment for sailing and watersports. The mudflats and salt marshes are an ecological paradise for roosting birds.
There are three Theatres, The Pavilion, The Pier Theatre and the Bournemouth International Centre, we also have Multiplex Cinemas, the Russell Coates Museum, an Oceanarium. two Piers, beautiful Gardens and a pedestrianised Shopping area running from the East to the West of the Town joining at the the Town Centre called The Square, which usually has a number of attractions throughout the year culminating in the German Xmas Market. The Town also boasts it’s own large International Conference and Exhibition Cehtre called the B.I.C . At certain times of the year the main Leisure centre has an Ice Rink installed. During the Summer months there is a Free Firework Display near Bournemouth Pier on Friday Nights.
Bournemouth is also one of the Hottest spots in Europe for young people going Clubbing, it is also a firm favourite for Stag and Hen Parties.
Bournemouth was recently voted the Happiest Place to Live in the United Kingdom, it received a vote of over 82% to make first place.
The ” Gaza Strip “
Let me tell you about the ” Strip ” , I have already mentioned the great influx of language students visiting our town, they used to come Spring to Autumn, nowadays the schools are very busy year round such is the demand for English as a language Worldwide. The consequence is of course that Bournemouth has become one of the most truly Cosmopolitan towns in the United Kingdom.
To answer the needs of these new temporary residents the main street in Charminster has burgeoned with Bars, Restaurants, Cafe’s and shops selling Exotic Ethnic foods. Most of the owners of the outlets tend to be from the Middle East with Italians, Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish people for balance. Korean,Japanese,Chinese and Asian foodshops are on the increase. It has made the main street a very vibrant and colourful place to eat, drink and shop.
The Bars and Restaurants tend to serve food and drink all day long, you won’t go hungry on the Gaza Strip.
There has, I have noticed a change in the body language and traditional greetings of the English due to the influence of the traders and the students, many more men kiss and hug each other in the street quite readily, I have also noticed more back slapping, and handshaking than would have been seen previously.
All in all, the Gaza has benefitted the community as a whole, also,due to the Smoking ban in shops and bars etc., there are more people on the street and they have adopted an almost bazzar type comradeship, take a ride along the Gaza and notice the number of people calling out to each other with jokes and comments across the street, previously unknown in Conservative England.
Depending which end of the strip you start from the boundaries of the ” Gaza ” are as follows, starting from the North you Have Sinbads Restaurant at the traffic lights,commonly known as ” Kebab Juction and the Corner of the Gaza ” ( this was a genuine instruction to a Taxi driver by a passenger and he was taken straight there ) you reach the end of the strip in the South at Tesco Express, in between these junctions you can Feast on just about any mouthwatering Food you desire.
Restaurants & Bars
I have listed below but a few of the venue’s on the strip, I have also included the nationalities of the owners who have spotted the opportunity to provide services to an extended community, they are to be congratulated for their foresight and capital investment in turning what was a mediocre suburban shopping street into a vibrant experience for all to enjoy.
In no particular order:-
Sebis Brasserie
Iranian Owner
Serves mainly continental food and a varied selection of wines, open til late, very popular in the evenings, gets very busy, mainly due to the efforts of Miguel, Marco, Eistein ( Ali ) Guzel and Ishmael the Boss, all great lads who always have a smile and a welcome for you……..not to mention their wicked Cocktails.
The Nippon Inn
Japanese / English Owner
This little restaurant and bar is run by Steve and his Japanese wife, they are right next door to Sebis and serve some amazing versions of Japanese food resembling Spanish Tapas……nice people
Salsa
Syrian Owner
This small friendly bar restaurant has a reputation for Italian / Spanish food with a fair smattering of Middle Eastern meals. It benefits from having a very sunny Patio were you can while away the time and enjoy eating Garlic Olives, a slice of Pizza and a glass or two of wine whilst watching the antics of the people parading up and down the Gaza. Tariq is mine host and will always give you the time day.
Peppino’s
Iranian Owner
Serves mainly Italian food and wines together with that lovely Peroni beer, open til late, very popular in the evenings, gets very busy, they have great Jazz nights and always do their best to provide lively entertainment.
Sala Pepe
Iranian Owner
A great Italian Restaurant operated by the lovely Nikki the owners wife, upmarket food and drink for the discerning, just wish they opened at lunchtime again.
San Lorenzo’s
Italian Owner
Certainly the most famous Italian restaurant on the strip, very friendly, and abley run by Ann and Lorenzo for many years. This restaurant has a very long association with the Soccer fraternity having hosted many dinners for the professional Footballers when they have come to compete in the town
You also have the following to choose from:-
Havana’s Night Club……………..The Vibe Nightclub……….Bar Zuka……. Retro……….San Miguel………Baraca………Damascus…….Bedouin……Pasa
Mr Falafael….. STOP PRESS….Soon to be opened by an Englishman wil be an ” American Diner ” ah but he is half Italian…God Bless.
All of these Venues and this is by no means a complete list are owned or operated by the following nationalities.
Lebanese, Israeli, Turkish, Morroccan, Palestinian, French Algerian………..these great people have made the Gaza Strip what it is today, Many Thanks.
The Sad Part
I have a sad observation to make, there is only One Pub on the Gaza, it’s called the Richmond Arms, what a state the Brewery has let it get into, it has one of the biggest Gardens of any pub locally and borders a least 100 feet of the Strip separated only by dingy railings. This once happy and vibrant community Pub is now in a disgraceful state of decor. The opportunity to be a Showcase on this thriving street and to attract back a bountiful customer base is being ignored. Given the effort our Middle Eastern friends have put in ( Quality Too )…….The Brewery should be ashamed.
A Good Part
One last thing for the first time this year an Event known as the Bournemouth Sevens will be staged at the Sports facilites near the Airport ,31st May and 1st June 2008, I have copied some information below should any readers be interested.
