The development of a £40m mixed-use scheme in New Brighton, Wirral, is underway, following six years’ planning preparation by Neptune Developments.

Phase one of the redevelopment will incorporate a new Town Square complete with cafés and the construction of 37 new apartments.

Central to this £18m phase is the rebuilding of a new Floral Pavillion Theatre on the site of the previous venue, which has now been demolished.

Phase two of the project will involve dredging and refurbishing Marine Lake – with a new pontoon and sailing school facilities – and refurbishing the existing Victorian shelters, as well as building a new pedestrian plaza with a performance area, six-screen cinema, 60-bed budget hotel, health club and outdoor lido.

Carole Carroll, deputy director of Mersey Waterfront, said: “New Brighton is located at a gateway to our stunning coastline, and this project will help reinvigorate a well-known but recently underused seafront.

“It will also complement separate £1m promenade improvements which Mersey Waterfront is undertaking between here and Seacombe.”