Bobby’s Bournemouth – Co-Working Space Opened

A modern meeting room with a large wooden table surrounded by colourful chairs. A projector screen displays colourful icons. The workplace features potted plants, a poster on the wall, hanging lamps, and a view into an adjoining space through a door. dorset architects

We’re excited to announce the opening of a new coworking space in Bournemouth, a sustainable retrofit project created within the first floor of the historic Bobby’s building in Bournemouth Square!

Since 2020, our team at Footprint Architects has been involved in the transformation of this former department store into a multi-use destination for the local community.

A person with short hair stands at a computer worktop in a modern office focused on low carbon design, with a blue wall, red stools, a colourful painting, and a jacket hanging. The word STUDIO is visible in white letters.
A modern retrofitted office space with blue walls, built-in shelves, two green chairs, a round black table, and light wood floors. Nearby, a window reveals another colourful room with a yellow curtain.
Brightly lit meeting room with a light wood table, colourful chairs, yellow walls, pendant lights, green curtains, and glass partition. A motivational poster highlights the sustainable architecture focus of Dorset architects in the vibrant space.

Office Fit-Out

Working closely with Patch and KIWI design on bringing this vibrant office fit-out to life, this space marks another step in the ongoing transformation of Bobby’s into a hub for work, culture, and showcasing local businesses in the heart of Bournemouth.

We have no doubt Patch and this co-working space will play a vital role in re-energising this local space in Bournemouth.

A vibrant colourful workplace interior features a teal wall with framed magazine covers, a red sofa, and wooden tables and chairs

Regenerating Bournemouth's High Street

Our work on Bobby & Co, the former Debenhams building, has been an important project to transform the town centre by creating spaces for community engagement. By restoring this landmark building into a thriving mixed-used development, we’re re-establishing its history as a space to regenerate our town’s high street.

Featured in The Guardian, Bobby’s showcases our effort to revive old department stores and shares stories of locals who remember Bournemouth as a destination shopping experience. Local news Journal, Pier featured the first floor opening of Patch co-working space in their latest summer addition highlighting the importance of collaboration between local companies and tenants, for the future of Bournemouth’s retail market.

Five people are in a modern meeting room designed by Dorset architects. One woman stands and presents, while four others sit around a wooden table with laptops and cups. A screen displays colourful charts behind her. The room is bright with plants and posters.
Bright, modern café designed with sustainable architecture—wooden floors, colourful furniture, green walls, framed art, and plants. Blue counter with bar stools and shelves of books and bottles. Ample natural and artificial lighting.
A spacious, modern office with wooden floors, long desks, teal office chairs, desk dividers, large windows filling the space with natural light, and exposed pipes along the ceiling highlights sustainable architecture.
A bright meeting room designed by Dorset architects with a long table, colourful chairs, wooden floors, large windows with sheer curtains, hanging lantern lights, and views of trees—showcasing low carbon design principles.

Photography Credit: Ed Hill

Meeting Community Needs

Our work at Bobby’s Bournemouth reflects a deep understanding of the evolving desires of communities. By transforming the former Debenhams space into a vibrant mixed-use development, we are responding to the demand for diverse, engaging, and experiential spaces.

Through thoughtful design and strategic placement of amenities, we aimed to create an inclusive environment that enhances community engagement and connectivity. Furthermore, our commitment to bringing in local tenants; Gozney, Parlour and Patch, ensures that our development supports local businesses and remains rooted in the local fabric of the community.

A close-up of a black metal balcony railing featuring a gold letter B, set against a red brick building with arched windows. The upward perspective highlights the retrofit architectural details.
A vintage photo of The Square in Bournemouth shows a busy crossroads with an obelisk monument and historic buildings, including Bobby’s department store, awaiting refurbishment as people and vehicles move along tree-lined streets.

Showcasing Local Bournemouth Businesses

The first floor opening of this co-working space marks another step in the ongoing transformation of Bobby’s Bournemouth into a hub for work, culture, and showcasing local businesses in the heart of Bournemouth. Further works encompass a rooftop terrace, a restaurant/bar, and an event space.

A woman with curly hair and glasses takes a selfie with a smiling man, both in black jackets, in front of a teal wall reading "discover and meet." The man holds a glass of wine—they could be celebrating innovative residential architecture.
A welcoming retail space with wooden shelves displaying skincare products, adorned with hanging greenery and soft lighting. Various people are browsing the shelves
Modern coworking space with glass walls, blue panelling, artwork, and plants on shelves—expertly retrofitted for style and function—with PATCH written on the door. Inside, desks, chairs, and hanging lights fill a bright, open area.

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