WORK has begun on a £400k project to expand and refurbish Poole Park's waterside restaurant.

Poole husband and wife team Richard and Sarah de Lisle, who took on Seven’s Boat Shed in October, are planning to re-launch the loss-making venue as The Kitchen.

Works being undertaken by Poole-based Greendale Construction include a new bar area and kitchen layout, new entrance canopy and landscaping to the surrounding outdoor area to allow for alfresco dining.

The project, due for completion in July 2015, is a second major investment in the park by the de Lisle's who have already ploughed £1.8 million into transforming the former Gus Gorillas attraction into award-winning play centre and family cafe The Ark.

They have promised The Kitchen’s menu will be based on quality, fresh produce, with be a clay oven serving homemade pizza to eat in or take away. The ice cream parlour alongside ‘The Kitchen’ will also be renewed, ready to serve ice creams, waffles, crepes, sundaes, milkshakes, teas and coffees.

Sarah de Lisle said: “For us Poole Park is a magical place with its idyllic setting, family appeal and outstanding natural beauty, so when the opportunity came up to also acquire the Boat Shed we were both really excited.

“Our aim is to create a warm, friendly and above-all welcoming atmosphere where people of all ages can meet up and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed, stylish environment.

“There will be lots of indoor and outdoor seating areas and new landscaped spaces to make the most of the truly spectacular waterfront location. We’re also going to have an open-plan kitchen area so people can watch the chefs at work,” she added.

Greendale Construction director, Rob Hooker, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed main contractors on this fast track project to transform and refurbish the current buildings and external areas. It is in a beautiful location and Greendale look forward to working with our clients and architects DMWA on this project.”

The crescent-shaped two-storey glass-fronted building, which first opened in 2007 as Mezza Luna, was formerly owned property magnate Eddie Mitchell.