The National Motor Museum could move to Bournemouth from its New Forest home, it has been proposed.
Agreed by Bournemouth Town Council, the proposal, put forward by Cllr Mark Anderson and approved at a meeting on 24th September, suggested the town could host the museum once its lease expires at its current site in Beaulieu.
As reported by the A&T, the National Motor Museum Trust made the shock announcement in August it was leaving its home of more than 70 years at Beaulieu after a row over lease length and money.
Bournemouth Town Council will now begin talks with partners – including BCP Council, tourism organisations, businesses and landowners – to gauge support for bringing the museum to the town.
Cllr Anderson said: “This is a rare opportunity and I believe Bournemouth should have the ambition to put itself forward.
“We are already one of the country’s best-known visitor destinations, but we need more major all-weather attractions that give people a reason to come to Bournemouth throughout the year.
“A National Motor Museum could be a fantastic addition to the town.
“It could attract visitors during the autumn and winter as well as the summer, bringing additional customers to our hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops and other attractions.
“It could also create exciting educational opportunities by working with our schools, colleges and university in areas such as engineering, technology, design, apprenticeships and Britain’s motoring heritage.”
The museum’s collection features historic vehicles, including early motorised carriages, speed record breakers and famous cars from TV and cinema.
Cllr Anderson stressed the proposal is only a starting point for discussions and does not commit the council to any major spending or a particular location.
He said: “Nobody is suggesting the town council can deliver something of this scale by itself. It would require a genuine partnership across Bournemouth and the wider area.
“What I am asking the council to do is open the conversation. Let’s find out what the National Motor Museum needs, identify what Bournemouth could offer and bring the right people around the table.
“If we don’t put ourselves forward, the opportunity will go elsewhere. Bournemouth should be ambitious and make its case.”
He added that while the town’s beaches remain a key draw, there is a need to broaden its visitor offer – especially with unpredictable British weather.
Cllr Anderson said: “Bournemouth’s beaches will always be one of our greatest assets, but we cannot control the British weather.
“A nationally significant indoor attraction could complement everything Bournemouth already offers and strengthen our position as a genuine year-round destination.
“The first thing we have to do is make sure Bournemouth is part of the conversation.”
Beaulieu and The National Motor Museum were approached for a comment but said they had nothing further to add at this time.