Millions of pounds of private investment in Bournemouth’s seafront and town centre are signs of confidence in the council’s approach, councillors have claimed.

Cabinet members said the new indoor adventure centre on the pier, the pier to shore zip wire and the two new Hilton Hotels being built at Terrace Mount are proof the council is on the right track.

Their comments came as they were given a progress report on Bournemouth’s seafront strategy, which is a 20-year plan to create a “world class seafront.”

The first phase of the project has seen new ‘super huts’ built at Alum Chine and work start on improvements to the eastern side of Pier Approach, which will include a family water play feature, new lighting and the removal of all temporary amusements except for a Victorian-style carousel.

There are also plans to build 15 overnight- stay beach huts at Southbourne, which will be offered for short-stay holiday accommodation all year round.

They should be in place early next year and will be launched to the public next May.

Cllr Mike Greene, cabinet member for corporate policy and strategy, said it was encouraging to note that Openwide International had recently invested £3.3million in the pier adventure centre and zip wire.

“The reason they were able to do that was because of the ambitions of this council, this administration, to make more of our premier coastline,” he said.

“Had we not had the courage to purchase the Waterfront building and make it into an events space, had we not put the money into these projects that we’re hearing about, I don’t believe that money would have come in.”

And council leader John Beesley said: “It’s essential that this resort continues to invest in its seafront infrastructure. As our forebears did, we need to invest in tourism and our seafront, we need to make sure Bournemouth truly is Britain’s premier resort.”