DEVELOPER Richard Carr admitted he was "quietly amazed" by the "huge interest" from potential occupiers for his £200million town centre regeneration scheme.

The boss of Fortitudo said his firm's plans for the Glen Fern Road site were something people wanted to be a part of.

As reported, Poole-based Fortitudo has submitted an application to BCP Council to demolish South Western House, the multi-storey car park and commercial buildings which are currently home to Cameo nightclub, Norwegian Wood Cafe, a garage and Oasis Fun.

If approved, construction of a new building ranging from 14 to 24 storeys would take place.

This would provide a nightclub, boutique cinema, indoor bowling, restaurants and sky bar.

Bournemouth Echo: Plans for the Bournemouth town centre site. Picture: FortitudoPlans for the Bournemouth town centre site. Picture: Fortitudo

There would also be 500 flats, a 104-bedroom hotel and 464 capacity multi-storey car park.

The scheme is still being considered by BCP Council's planning department, however, estate agent Savills is advertising for the lease on one of the commercial aspects of the scheme already.

The listing for 'Boho Grand' in Glen Fern Road, relates to a 60,000 square foot area in the basement. It says 40,000 square foot on the ground floor has been pre-let to Rekom bars, who currently operate Cameo.

Mr Carr told the Daily Echo the "state of the art" nightclub would be the first brand new night time venue space in the town centre for around 30 years.

Discussing the response from possible tenants to date, Mr Carr said: "We have had very substantial interest in the basement area from various operators.

Bournemouth Echo: The development would take several years to be build. Picture: FortitudoThe development would take several years to be build. Picture: Fortitudo

"We have an operator for a 60,000 square foot space similar to Mulligans, 28 lanes of 10 pin bowling and various other amenities, which is really encouraging.

"We have three or four hotel operators who want to take the hotel operation on. We have Deliveroo who want to take part of the space to set up dark kitchens with various food concepts and we have got a major restaurant brand who want to take the sky bar and restaurant.

"We also have a lot of interest in the private rented accommodation scheme from various operators."

Fortitudo is hoping to secure planning permission this year, with a view to completing the redevelopment by 2027.

"I am quietly amazed at the amount of interest it has received but it is a very substantial scheme, completely rejuvenating the town centre of Bournemouth and I think people want to be a part of that," added Mr Carr.

"It is not every day that someone comes along with a development scheme of this scale.

"Bournemouth has a very buoyant economy and people want to invest."