FIVE new businesses have signed up to be a part of the �50million Leisuredome development it was announced this week.

Clothing retailers Ellis Brigham and Tog 24 have joined AngelBerry, Avalon Leisure and Tiny Tearawayz in signing up.

The five firms will join international food giants Subway, Butcombe Brewery and SoHo Coffee at the former RAF Locking site.

The multi-million pound complex, due to be completed by the end of next year, will include a 210-metre ski slope and a 40-metre indoor climbing wall.

A ‘simulated ice rink’, a laser game area, an activity zone and a soft play area will also be built, alongside the country’s largest indoor ski slope and the world’s biggest indoor climbing wall.

Local businessman Clive Hamilton-Davies, who is behind the project, admitted the process of getting retailers to sign up had proved trickier than he first envisaged.

The scenario mirrors the difficulties faced by Dolphin Square developers McLaren Life who last month admitted no shop retailers had signed on the dotted line to be a part of its �45million Weston town centre regeneration scheme.

Mr Hamilton-Davies said: “We have been optimistic about timescales. Given the diverse nature of the opportunities and activities offered at the Leisuredome, the negotiations with prospective tenants and the use of consultants necessitated by a development of this size, has taken considerably longer than we first envisaged.

“However, things are progressing very well and we now have over 65 per cent of tenants in place.”