The first phase of the scheme, being developed by Neptune Developments, was completed late last year with a 800-seat Floral Pavilion and Conference Centre.

Phase Two, worth £35m, includes a Morrison’s supermarket, a Travelodge hotel, a digital cinema, bars, restaurants, a watersports training centre, a new model boating lake, a public lido and other public spaces, as well as improved public transport links.

The Marine Lake and the new Promenade and Model Boating Lake are due to be completed by summer 2010, with the Morrisons Supermarket ready to start fitting-out just after Christmas next year.