A council's landmark eco hub that cost millions has only taken £150,000 during its first year.
The hub first opened along Durley Chine in Bournemouth in February 2023 nearly a year late at the cost of £2.4million.
There was some backlash to the opening of the café and kiosk within the hub as they initially only sold vegetarian food.
However, the menu was eventually changed after complaints from hungry diners.
The eco hub in Bournemouth
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Now, a Freedom of Information request has revealed the hub has taken in £144,339 of profit in its first year.
This means that if it was the same every year, means it would take 16 years to make up the cost to build the hub.
Meanwhile, there has been more than £28,000 paid in bills, comprising utilities of £13,774 (from February 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024) and rates of £14,471 (from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024).
The FOI request made by the Daily Echo revealed the environmental hub, which has conference rooms available to hire to educate about waste, has had no bookings in its first year.
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The cafe and kiosk had originally only sold vegetarian food
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
The hub was constructed using 45 tonnes of old seaside groynes collected from the Poole Bay Beach Management Scheme and wood from a German shipyard.
One side of the hub’s roof has been planted with plants matching those growing on the cliffs behind, while the low-lighting design accommodates bats.
Solar panels cover the rest of the building, drawing power from the sun which helps to create a zero-carbon environment. Any excess energy can then be fed back into the mains grid.
The hub, which has won a sustainability award, takes the profit from the kiosk and puts it back into the seafront services and maintenance.
The eco hub in Bournemouth has solar panels on the roof
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Deputy council leader Millie Earl told Daily Echo: "This aim must be sustainable over the long-term and needs to be cost-effective for the council at this uncertain time, when it is vital to prioritise spending on the most vulnerable in our community.
"The long-term aim for the hub remains to develop the venue into an education space for residents, visitors, schools and families to drive a step change in behaviour and build environmental guardianship of our coastline."
She added that the £2.4m hub was funded by the government and the grant is non-repayable, awarded to BCP Council as part of a scheme to improve coastlines.
When asked why no bookings have been accepted in the hub’s first year of operation, she said the authority is working to develop a plan for the "efficient use of the room space."
