BUILDING work on Weston seafront has continued to grow at great speed on two of the town’s biggest developments.

Despite the Christmas and New Year bank holidays construction of the new Dolphin Square complex and Rotunda restaurant has continued at great speed both on and off site.

The first phase of the Dolphin Square regeneration started in August when work on the 112-bed Premier Inn hotel began. Since then progress has continued at great pace with a large amount of the metal infrastructure now in place.

The �35million development, which is expected to be completed next year, will see many big name companies moving to the town.

Pizza Express, Prezzo, Nando’s and Harvester will all open new restaurants on the seafront site. First Bowl and Vue Cinemas have also been confirmed as moving into the Beach Road complex.

Concerns were raised in the autumn that the project would not be completed on time after developers extended the leases of current business by six months after North Somerset Council was unable to vacate Somerset House as early as intended. A spokesman for developers McLaren Life said the project is still on time for a 2013 completion, despite the setback.

And the nearby Rotunda ice cream parlour and pizzeria is also showing significant signs of progress. The restaurant, which will have seating outside, is expected to open ahead of this year’s holiday season.

It will be jointly run by local businessmen Giulio Ellis and Alistair Mead and the former said it will provide the town with a boost to its tourism industry.

When the plans were approved in September, Mr Ellis said: “I’m really pleased, it’s good for Weston and good for the Princess Royal Square.”