IF investors are betting that the reopening of the high street this week will fire up a summer spending spree, they could do worse than take a look at the three towns across the conurbation.
The town centres in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were buzzing again on Monday after a lockdown that began back in December.
With non-essential retail and services like hairdressers back in business, visitors flooded back to the main centres and district high streets.
And a surprising number of new retail and hospitality businesses have sprung up.
BCP Council has launched a campaign to reassure people that it is safe to shop and enjoy dining in the outside spaces of restaurants and cafes.