CONFUSION surrounds plans for a new-look Burger King in Boscombe.

As reported in the Daily Echo last November, the chain had been due to open a 20/20 Garden Grill, styled to look like a 1970s diner, in the Sovereign Centre.

However, more than six months on the units earmarked for the restaurant are still empty - and bosses say "all options" remain open.

20/20 Garden Grill was due to occupy the former New Look, the Mayor's Emporium and a unit currently used by a pop-up clothes shop. There are only two other 20/20 Garden Grill Burger King's in the UK.

In December, Bournemouth councillors granted permission to change the use of units one to three from retail into a premises selling food and drink, but the chain has so far failed to move in. However, the South Coast Living store is due to temporarily move into the space,

Peter Ruscoe, centre manager for the Sovereign Shopping Centre said: “We are in ongoing discussions with a number of parties as we look to secure a new long term occupier.

"We would always refrain from disclosing who we’re in conversation with regarding available units until the contracts are signed.

"That said, we are considering all options at present and these considerations are always made with the town’s best interest at its heart and the local community very much in mind.”

A spokesperson from the centre added: "South Coast Living will be taking on the unit as part of a purely temporary arrangement."

Boscombe ward councillor Phil Stanley-Watts said: "I haven't heard anything more about it in the past few months.

"I've asked what's going to happen and it seems to be very much up in the air.

"I'd like to see something go into the Sovereign Centre as soon as possible.

"I've been speaking to people during residents' meetings recently and they often ask for a big name like Marks and Spencer. That would be absolutely fantastic."

He said residents want "good-quality retail" in Boscombe, but added: "I think an indoor amenity would also be well-received.

"People are wondering what's going to go into the empty units."

In May, the Zervo Flexi Village - which occupied the former TJ Hughes shop - also closed, with traders forced to move elsewhere.

The indoor market's electricity supply was cut off in February and the company reportedly owes E.ON around £90,000.

Cllr Stanley-Watts said: "These are big spaces.

"The shops in the Sovereign Centre are really important for Boscombe. We need investment into retail."

Burger King failed to return calls for comment.