Chewing The Fat at BOMO: The Future of Local Media in Bournemouth

I had the pleasure today (18th March), of being on the panel at the brilliant new BOMO on Dean Park Crescent for Chewing The Fat - a local business event bringing together 45 businesses from across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Organised by Dan Ware, the gathering hit the perfect balance between informal networking and meaningful conversation. We started and ended with relaxed networking, but at the heart of the event was something much bigger - a shared ambition to unify and elevate the perception of Bournemouth.

And that’s where the conversation got really interesting.

A Changing Media Landscape

I grew up with local media being a constant but it's not what it once was.

And yet - people still care deeply about local media. The familiar voices. The headlines that shape how we saw our town. The stories that create a sense of place.

But something has shifted.

Today, everyone has a platform. News moves faster than ever. Anyone can share an opinion. Anyone can shape a story.

So the question we explored on the panel was:

What role does local media play now - and what role should it play in the future of our town?

The Power of Local Storytelling

What became clear during the discussion is that local media is far from irrelevant - it’s just evolving.

• It still has enormous power.
• It can spotlight the people building businesses.
• It can celebrate the wins that make a place feel proud.
• It can ask the tough questions when needed.

And perhaps most importantly, it can connect communities that might otherwise never meet.

Because ultimately, local media helps shape the narrative of a place.

And that narrative matters.

• It influences confidence.
• It impacts investment.
• It shapes how people outside the area perceive Bournemouth.

A Unified Vision for Bournemouth

One of the most encouraging parts of the meeting was the alignment in the room.

There was a real sense that everyone - from media and marketing to business owners and community leaders - wants the same thing:

To talk Bournemouth up

• To share more positive stories.
• To champion local businesses.
• To create a stronger, more unified identity for the area.

And importantly, to make sure the good news doesn’t get lost in the noise.

The Role of Modern Media

We also explored how media is evolving with the rise of AI, influencer marketing, and the balance between online and offline channels.

There was agreement that:

• AI is a powerful tool, but not a replacement for human insight and local knowledge
• Influencer marketing and authentic content are playing an increasingly important role in shaping perception
• Offline still matters - events like this prove the value of real-life connection
• The strongest strategies combine multiple channels, not just one

A Room That Cares

The panel, hosted by Dan Ware, featured:

• Hayley Jones-Dowling (LocalIQ / Bournemouth Echo)
• Roy Martin (Bournemouth One)
• Scott Wright (Bournemouth University)
• And myself, representing Total Guide to and Total Business Network

With audience Q&A at the end, it became a genuinely open and honest discussion - not just about media, but about responsibility.

• Because this isn’t just about platforms.
• It’s about people.
• It’s about place.
• It’s about the story we choose to tell.

“Real progress in a place like Bournemouth doesn’t come from one voice shouting the loudest. It comes from many voices choosing to listen, share, and build something together. When communication is open and people collaborate with intent, you don’t just grow businesses, you create a community people feel part of and proud of.” -Dan Ware

Why This Matters

Events like Chewing The Fat remind us that while media has changed, its purpose hasn’t.

• It’s still about connection.
• It’s still about community.
• And it’s still about telling stories that matter.

The future story of Bournemouth is still being written.

And if last week is anything to go by, there are a lot of people who care deeply about making sure it’s a positive one.

Author Bio

Liz Hutchings is the Founder and Managing Director of Total Guide to. She launched the first Total Guide to community hub in 2012 and has since expanded the brand across multiple UK cities, connecting local businesses, residents, and visitors with meaningful content and opportunities. Liz is passionate about community-led digital media and local storytelling, and she recently contributed her expertise as a panelist at Chewing The Fat at BOMO Bournemouth, discussing the future of local media and business collaboration.