Weston’s residents will feel the economic benefits of the new Dolphin Square, with many of the jobs at the site set to be filled by local people.

Around 250 roles will be created at the £45million leisure complex, which will be home to an eight-screen Cineworld cinema, a rock climbing centre and gym, a bingo café, and popular restaurant chains like Nando’s, Pizza Express and Prezzo.

North Somerset Council’s Skills4Work programme – in conjunction with Job Centre Plus, Westonworks and Team North Somerset – has helped more than 100 people apply for jobs at Dolphin Square with career advice and training.

And many of those people will be donning their new uniforms for the first in the coming weeks, with Luda bingo café set to open on October 30 and Nando’s due to start trading next month.

Stephen Bashford, head of economic development for North Somerset, said the council has ‘worked closely with Dolphin Square businesses to ensure the majority of the roles will be allocated to North Somerset residents’.

He added: “By committing the businesses to agree to recruit using our local employment scheme, we are able to cherry pick from the registered programme participants, to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to successfully apply for roles.”

Cineworld general manager Mo Williams said Dolphin Square ‘will lie in the heart of Weston life’, and it is ‘vital that local people play a key part’.

A council statement said the recruitment drive ties in with its vision for the town centre, which is focused on the ‘themes of living, learning and lifestyle’.

The local authority hopes Dolphin Square will continue Weston’s progression towards being a ‘lively university town which will improve the local economy’.

The council’s executive member for economic development, Elfan Ap Rees, believes Dolphin Square can ‘be a catalyst for retail growth’ in Weston.

He said: “Dolphin Square is part of the bigger town centre regeneration, which is looking at improving key sites in and around the centre.

“I’m delighted that the businesses are focusing on local people as part of their employment efforts and I look forward to the opening later this year.”