The founder of online marketplace OnBuy has slammed the local council in Bournemouth after sensationally closing its HQ in the town.
Cas Paton, who launched the town centre base to great fanfare in 2022, took to LinkedIn to write: “There is NO support for tech here in Bournemouth. The ‘Silicon Beach’ dream was a lie.
“We say goodbye to Bournemouth. We say hello to London and New York.”
OnBuy started its journey in a small office space in Poole and also has a base in Manchester as well as remote workers nationwide. The 12,049 sq ft HQ included four stories of office space and breakout areas as well as a spacious roof terrace with sea views.
However the building which it said in 2022 would be ‘a home for innovative thinkers’ now stands empty, according to Paton.
“As a tech founder, be careful where you set up your business. Not all cities and towns are equal – and some are working against you at every step. We are saying goodbye to Bournemouth,” Paton said.
“Bournemouth, we tried – but the journey has come to an end and we have to part ways.
“We really tried to keep Bournemouth our HQ and believed in BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) Council’s vision for Bournemouth and ‘Silicon Beach’.
“But the truth is, Bournemouth is an under-invested, council-destroyed destination; high streets that are completely deserted, major homeless drug user problem worse than the streets of London or Manchester, a transportation NIGHTMARE, and the opportunity cost is just too great.
“We will always have a satellite office in the south, but we are no longer a Bournemouth company. Was fun while it lasted. We will miss the good old days! The new journey starts now.”
A regular on the FT 1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, OnBuy prides itself on not working against the sellers on its marketplace. It does not sell its own products.
In 2022 Paton said: “The South West is where OnBuy was born, and I truly believe that there is a world of talent beyond the M25 to be tapped into. We’re known for hiring the best and brightest, and with our coastal base we’ve been able to bring on board a range of people with diverse skills that will help take us to the next level.”
Cllr Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, BCP Council, responded: “We know confidence is flowing back into Bournemouth town centre – evidenced by new businesses coming into the town. Just before Christmas we saw the opening of the high-end restaurant The Ivy, and soon we will welcome The Botanist & JD Gyms amongst others, so it’s a shame OnBuy didn’t speak to us, as we’d have been able to share all this positive information with them.
“The town has clearly turned a corner, with footfall over Christmas up 12.5% compared to the previous year. We’ve secured a local operator for next year’s Christmas events and activities demonstrating there is a real belief in Bournemouth.
“Empty shop units are being brought back into action as we attract more investors into the town centre. At the former Beales and House of Fraser stores we are seeing a mixed use of retail, workspace and accommodation take shape which highlights Bournemouth’s commitment to growth and modernisation. These developments not only enhance the town’s appeal but also creates job opportunities and fosters a thriving local economy.
“We are also fortunate to have a thriving and growing creative and digital community in the area, which the Council continues to nurture and support, along with our partners at the universities and college.
“Many of these businesses are based in offices in and around the town centre. Together with the success of co-working spaces in Bournemouth such as This Workspace and the recently arrived Patch, as well as The Foundry in Poole, the office community bring further footfall and spend into Bournemouth Town Centre.
“We are aware of the challenges facing every high street in the UK, but as a council we are determined to make sure we continue to do our part in supporting our local businesses. We recently awarded £358,000 to make the town centres of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole more attractive with projects such as enhancing street lighting additional planters, artwork and events.
“We’re also one of only four local authority areas selected by government to pilot a scheme to address empty shops, showing further national confidence in Bournemouth’s future.”