The stunning UK seaside town that 'changed' by immigration

A stunning UK seaside town known for its stunning seven-mile stretch of sandy beaches has "changed" by immigration, locals say. Residents living in the coastal town of Bournemouth are worried about the changing face of the town over the years.

It comes as Britain is bracing for a wave of protests on Saturday outside hotels currently being used to house asylum seekers, reflecting growing tensions around immigration and accommodation policies. Recent figures reveal that over 32,000 asylum seekers are now living in hotels, a number that has risen by 8% during Labour's first year in Government.

In response, anti-migrant demonstrations are planned for Friday in cities such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, and Perth. These will be met with counter-protests organised by Stand Up to Racism, with more gatherings expected to follow on Saturday.

And Bournemouth has been a witness to the changing demographics over the years. Between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, Bournemouth saw a sharp increase in its non-British-born population, rising by 47% within its local authority area.

This significant growth reflects broader national trends, as the UK has experienced a steady and substantial rise in net migration since 2021.

A woman who did not wish to be named told Sky News: "Bournemouth has changed because of the migration of people who have come here. The whole atmosphere of the place has changed.

"It's strange to hear foreign languages spoken so frequently in our country. To not understand anything that's being said around you is disconcerting."

Some locals express concern that the increasing number of newcomers may dilute or overshadow the town's traditional cultural character.

However, some hold a different opinion. Kevin Maidment, who was born in Bournemouth, disagrees that the face of the coastal town has changed.

He told Sky News: "It's always been a place where foreign language students visit. I think this lot down the road, they need somebody to hate...now it's refugees, 10 years ago it was the Poles and the Eastern Europeans."