EFFORTS to redevelop a prime seafront site in Bournemouth, which is currently home to an amusement arcade, have resumed.

Savills has started its search to find a partner to deliver a "new and vibrant hospitality based destination business" on the Happyland site near Bournemouth Pier.

The retail estate advisor said it has already held meetings with restaurateurs and hoteliers and there was a "strong interest" in the site.

The situation with the arcade building had gone quiet since autumn 2019 when BCP Council entered a legal agreement with owners Meyrick Estate.

Savills said following careful consideration and monitoring the market during the pandemic and waiting for the appropriate time to continue the process started prior to Covid, the team were now pressing ahead with expressions of interest sought in early 2022 on behalf of Meyrick Estate and BCP Council.

A Savills spokesperson said it could include a hotel, restaurant, cafe, visitor attraction or a combinations of all of these uses.

Kevin Marsh, Savills head of licensed leisure at Savills, said: ”The Meyrick Estate is looking to develop and reinvigorate the Happyland site in partnership with BCP Council to deliver a high-quality world class year-round destination for Bournemouth and its seafront, offering a selection of tourism and leisure facilities for both visitors and residents.

"Prior to Covid we held a series of meetings with restaurateurs and hoteliers which demonstrated strong interest in the site.

"With such positive sentiment in the UK hospitality industry, particularly in locations such as Bournemouth, we believe that now is the right time to bring the property to the market.”

Richard Norgrove, Meyrick Estate head of real estate, said: “The Meyrick Estate are seeking to create a destination and reinvigorate this site in partnership with BCP Council to deliver an aspirational destination.

"Continuing the process we started pre-Covid we are looking forward to engaging with the market through Savills.”

In September 2019, when the site was last discussed in detail at a council meeting, then local authority portfolio holder for regeneration Cllr Mark Howell said "a hotel is believed to be the most likely option".

Since then Conservative councillors have taken control of the council and have identified Happyland as part of its "coastal arc" ambitions.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, BCP Council portfolio holder for development, growth and regeneration, said: “We want to make Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole one of the best coastal destinations in the UK, and are taking a bold and unique approach to our placemaking role and responsibilities.

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr Philip broadheadCllr Philip broadhead

"Bringing forward the Happyland arcade site will form part of Bournemouth’s exciting main visitor destination experience, stretching along the coastal arc that runs from the BIC in the west through to Westover Road in the east.

"A revitalised, world class development in this prime seafront spot provides an opportunity for us, with our partner, to ensure these interconnected sites share the same vision and something that we can proudly present to the world.”