MEMBERS of the public will be able to explore a 17th century Spanish tall ship when it visits Poole Quay this summer.

As part of the visit funded by Poole BID, the ship will be in the quay from July 30 to August 5 and will be open to the public. 

Jacqui Rock, BID lead, said: "We are excited to welcome Galleon Andalucia to Poole Quay. This historic tall ship promises to be a significant draw for visitors, enriching our waterfront with its rich history and cultural significance.

"We believe that Galleon Andalucia will not only enhance the appeal of our vibrant community but also contribute to increased footfall, benefiting local businesses and the wider community."

Galleon Andalucia is an accurate replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon which played pivotal roles in the global trade and cultural exchange over three centuries. 

The exhibition has been supported by Poole Harbour Commissioners and will provide a rare opportunity for the public to explore the intricate details of a tall ship. 

Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for the climate response and environment, said: "This is one of the events we as a council are trying to do what we can despite the bad news that was flung around wrongly about us cancelling all events on the quay and it's an example of something that will be happening on the quay this year. 

"The council had a meeting with a number of traders to talk through the budget cuts. We have had to cut some support for some of these events and to say, look, we're going to keep some of them going, we need help to keep others going and we need to find other people if we want to keep the rest going. 

"Somebody second-hand who wasn't in the meeting then just said BCP Council were cancelling everything and that just wasn't true."

The Galleon Andalucia was built by the Nao Victoria Foundation at the Punta Umbria shipyard in Spain and has traversed over 70,000 nautical miles.