The leader of North Somerset Council said he was ‘delighted’ to see building works at Weston-super-Mare’s Dolphin Square progress on time, after he visited the Carlton Street site last week.
Work is under way on the third phase of the £45million development, which will be home to a cinema, restaurants including Nando’s and Pizza Express, and an indoor climbing centre once it opens in summer 2017.
Despite the project being previously dogged by years of delays, work on the project began in November and was boosted last month when the Lancashire County Council pension fund invested some £18.5million in the scheme.
Construction company Dawnus has now finished piling at the site, which sets deep foundations for major construction work, and Cllr Nigel Ashton, along with McLaren Life boss Alistair Bell, council officers and Mercury staff, was treated to an exclusive tour of the site on Tuesday by project manager Bob Cooper.
Cllr Ashton said: “I am delighted to see the building work well under way at Dolphin Square, with the piling now complete and construction on schedule.
“We have been working with McLaren Life to get the project to this point and the progress on-site is great news for Weston and for the council’s town centre regeneration programme.
“The development will bring leading names in the retail and leisure industry to the heart of the town, demonstrating real confidence in Weston and helping to unlock further investment.
“Alongside other major town centre projects, the transformation of Dolphin Square will generate new vitality right in the heart of Weston.
“It marks a major step forward in the regeneration of the town as a vibrant place to live and learn, with a thriving and diverse leisure offer.”
Mr Bell estimated that Dolphin Square will attract thousands of people a week into the town centre once it is open.
He said: “We are pleased that phase three of Dolphin Square is coming out of the ground and will soon be changing the Weston skyline.
“The development, when complete, will bring in excess of 12,000 people a week to the cinema and restaurants, breathing new life into the evening and daytime leisure trade in the town.
“We have worked hard with the council and other stakeholders to make this development a reality.”
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