WORK will begin on a nine-screen cinema complex and four new casual dining restaurants at Poole’s Dolphin Centre later this year.

Planning permission has been granted by Borough of Poole to convert the former Argos store and adjoining units.

One of the cinema screens will be open-air on the rooftop in a bid to give a different experience for residents and visitors.

No firm date has yet been set for the opening of the complex and it is not known which restaurants will be moving in.

The multiplex, to be operated by Empire cinemas under a 25-year lease, is the first in the town centre.

Empire used to operate the multiplex at Tower Park in Poole but it is now operated by Cineworld.

The Dolphin Centre was bought by Legal & General in 2013 and the cinema announcement is the latest part of a £26 million programme of investment.

Other changes under way at the centre include improvements to the mall and new retailers.

John Grinnell, centre manager, said: “We’re delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted for this exciting multiplex cinema. This latest investment will further shift the shopping centre towards a truly family-orientated offer and will help bring an element of trade that will extend into the evenings

“The cinema will help generate more vibrancy and appeal for the town centre as a whole and will provide significant additional amenity for visitors to the Dolphin.”

Justin Ribbons, chief executive officer of Empire Cinemas, added: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted. Empire Cinemas is thrilled to be returning to Poole as part of this fantastic new leisure facility at the Dolphin. With nine Screens including Empire Cinemas large format, IMPACT® Screen, D-Box and our open-air, rooftop screen there really will be something for everyone’.”

The Dolphin has more than 100 retail, restaurant and leisure brands and an annual footfall of 11 million. The latest retailers to move in include H&M, Deichmann, Smiggle and JD.