I’d love to tell you a little about Seafood & Sound, Poole’s celebration of seafood, music, heritage and community spirit.

Three years ago, five of us, all local business owners, came together with a simple idea. We wanted to increase footfall in Old Town and Poole Quay, encourage visitors to stay longer, support independent businesses, and celebrate what makes Poole special.

We didn’t bring in an external events company. We built it ourselves. And what started as an idea has grown into a major weekend event attracting thousands of visitors across Old Town and Poole Quay — driving real trade into hospitality and retail and creating something the community genuinely feels proud of.

Seafood & Sounds belongs to Poole, and together we can make 2026 our biggest and best year yet.

Each year, Seafood & Sounds:

• Increases footfall across the weekend
• Showcases Poole’s creativity and coastal heritage
• Brings residents and visitors together
• Creates a vibrant, inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere

It’s artisan markets, seafood stalls, live music, food demonstrations, family trails, and most importantly, it keeps people in town, spending locally. Now, as we head into our fourth year in 2026, we’re taking the next step.

With support from Poole BID, we’re expanding further up the High Street to better connect the town centre, the Dolphin Centre, Old Town and Poole Quay.

That means:

• Market stalls and live music in new town-centre locations
• Activity and food demonstrations at the Dolphin Centre
• Walk & Talk trails linking key parts of town
• Promotion aligned with the Cockle Shell Trail

This is becoming a truly town-wide event.