A former regional daily editor has taken a new job promoting and attracting investment to a seaside town.

Steve Hughes, left, who served as managing editor of York daily The Press for seven years before leaving in January last year, has been appointed as manager of Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

Steve left The Press after bosses at parent company Newsquest decided to merge his role with that of Bradford Telegraph & Argus editor Perry Austin-Clarke.

He went on to be project manager of a BID in York, but has now moved to the south coast to take on a similar role.

Said Steve: “I am delighted to come to Bournemouth at such an exciting time. Investors have clearly seen Bournemouth’s potential as can be seen from the recently opened Hilton Hotel and other developments now taking shape.

“We have a beautiful and vibrant town centre but we need to work even harder to stay ahead of the game and attract more investment, more customers and more visitors.

“The BID is committed to working with partner organisations to fully develop the town centre’s potential and improve its economic vitality for years to come.”

BIDs are business-led partnerships set up to improve the environment for traders within a certain area. They are approved by a ballot of business rate-payers and funded by a levy on businesses.

Steve, who is originally from the West Country, added: “It was always my intention to move back to the south and I was impressed with Bournemouth’s potential for growth.

“I am looking forward to meeting business owners and managers and working with them to make Bournemouth Town Centre as good as it possibly can be.”

Steve spent a total of 13 years with Newsquest, during which time he also edited The Bolton News.