Chineside, which has a large upper deck, beach side terrace, groundfloor restaurant, shop and takeaway, opened its doors on Friday morning, under unfortunately dismal skies.

But they didn’t deter co-owner Rob Shearman, an experienced businessman who ran the small kiosk on the site for 14 years, as well as operating the kiosks at Boscombe Pier and Middle Chine. He told the Echo: “This was years in the making and it’s all suddenly come to fruition – as soon as we came here we wanted to develop this spot.”

Rob, 50, and business partner Van Hubball, 41, gained planning permission some time ago, but the project was put on hold two years ago when Rob suffered a heart attack. Bournemouth Borough Council stepped in – investing £900,000 in the scheme as part of its seafront improvement strategy.

The development, which includes a new beach office and public toilets, was designed to “look a bit like a ship”, added Rob, and makes the most of its beachside setting with glazed folding doors, and a floor terrace with amazing views.

The menu includes breakfast, burgers, fish and chips, panini, coffees, sandwiches, snacks and ice cream, and there will be barbecues on the upper deck in good weather. The restaurant is also fully licensed.

Rob, who was well-known for keeping the old kiosk open all year round including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, said he was looking forward to welcoming visitors year-round, whatever the weather.

“This is the easy bit for us,” he Rob. “The setting up and the build was new, but we are confident now – we can almost breath a sigh of relief.”

Business partner Van added: “We should be able to be a lot of things for a lot of different people – they can come here for breakfast, right through to the evenings when they can watch the sun go down and see the fireworks.”

Councillor Lawrence Williams, cabinet member for tourism, leisure and the arts, said: “This new development enhances the look and feel of the area, offers visitors greater choice and provides a convenient location for public facilities, as well as creating local employment opportunities.”

The site also offers an additional 28 cycle spaces and a platform lift to the roof terrace for disabled visitors. The work, which started last October, was carried out by Bournemouth Council’s building maintenance team.

- Daily Echo