A SHOPPING centre has hailed the eventual opening of a new Korean-Japanese restaurant on site as key to its “reimaging” and evolution.

The Dolphin Centre in Poole is set to welcome a Kokoro restaurant and takeaway to Falkland Square later this year following its planning approval in July.

Kokoro will take over the previous TSB Bank unit outside the shopping centre, neighbouring current retailers Delfino Lounge and Skechers.

The 1,980 sq ft restaurant will serve homemade sushi and freshly prepared Korean fusion hot dishes, either eat to in or to takeaway.

Bournemouth Echo: A Kokoro restaurant/takeawayA Kokoro restaurant/takeaway (Image: Kokoro)

John Grinnell, centre manager of the Dolphin Centre, said: “The opening of Kokoro creates a more diverse line-up of food outlets at the Dolphin and we’re proud to be continually expanding and enhancing our offering for shoppers.

“The Dolphin continues to attract a range of heavyweight brands and innovative small businesses as the reimaging of the centre continues to evolve. It is an exciting time at the centre and we’re looking forward to Kokoro opening its doors later this year.”

A spokesperson for Kokoro Poole added: “We’re so proud to be bringing our restaurant to the heart of Poole. We pride ourselves on serving tasty, fresh, and healthy food to our customers, and can’t wait to provide the local community with our authentic and delicious meals.

“The Dolphin Centre is a vibrant location for our latest branch and its repositioning of the high street is precisely what has led to us opening in the town centre.”

Bournemouth Echo: Falkland Square in Poole, outside the Dolphin Shopping CentreFalkland Square in Poole, outside the Dolphin Shopping Centre (Image: Newsquest)

Founded by Rak-Kyu Park, the company’s first branch opened in Kingston-Upon-Thames in 2010 and now has more than 55 premises across England and Scotland.

Most of these are in London although a Bournemouth franchise opened in Old Christchurch Road in summer 2020.

The eventual opening of Kokoro follows a variety of new initiatives that have launched at the Dolphin over the past two years to re-frame and reimagine the shopping centre for the future.

Its new line-up includes KINGLAND, the Dolphin Street Market, community events hub Gather, a £1.3million adult learning facility, an NHS outpatient clinic and Foundry – a co-working space due to open later this year.