FIFTY jobs will be created when two new food outlets open in a Poole shopping centre.

Work is underway to allow shoppers to enjoy breakfast, dinner, pancakes, coffee, shakes and soda at Roxy's American Diner, which opens on Saturday, August 20 in Kingland Crescent next to the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

The opening event will feature balloons, face painting, the Bournemouth Bobcats American football team and music from the Dolphin Marching Band.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy burritos, fajitas and nachos, ice cream, bottled beers and frozen cocktails from Mexigo within Falkland Square, which is set to open before the bank holiday weekend. The Mexigo firm currently has two other branches, which are based in Holdenhurst Road in Bournemouth and in Southampton.

It is just the latest part of the plan by Legal and General (L&G), the owners of the Dolphin Shopping Centre since early 2013, to expand the town's food offering.

At the end of July, the doors to the first branch of Sprinkles Gelato in Poole were thrown open in the unit next to KFC next to the bus station after two branches have previously opened in Bournemouth. The store offers a range of sundaes, waffles, crepes, cakes and milkshakes, as well as its main selling point of a multitude of different ice cream flavours.

John Grinnell, manager of the Dolphin Centre, said: "This is an important step forward in the future refurbishment plans for the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

"We expect the additional tenants to have a significant positive impact on the local economy, not only through the creation of new jobs, but to extend visiting hours and develop Poole as a vibrant night time leisure venue.

"Although we can confirm that Roxy’s American Diner and Mexigo will be coming to the centre, there is an extensive programme of preparatory work to ensure the fit outs comply with L&G’s sustainability guide.

"While this work is being undertaken, we will do our upmost to limit any inconvenience to our visitors."