BOURNEMOUTH council has promised the former Imax site will be ready for its grand opening night on Saturday.

But they have admitted finishing touches will be added after the events and into July.

Thousands of people are expected to attend two free concerts by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the new waterfront entertainment space this weekend.

Contractors are currently landscaping the area, which was occupied until recently by the town’s most hated building.

Leader of the council Cllr John Beesley, said: “Landscaping of the Pier Approach open events space is well underway in preparation for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra events.

“Finishing touches will continue after the concerts ready for the summer entertainment programme, starting at the end of next month.

“I’m confident the extension of the Pier Approach space will be an excellent arena in which people can spend time interacting and enjoying themselves.”

Saturday’s concerts promise to have something for everyone with a mixture of popular and classical works.

Shows at 4pm and 8pm will include Strauss’ Thunder and Lightning Polka and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances as well as the Harry Potter and Star Wars theme tunes.

Local residents were invited to apply for a total of 3,000 free tickets with around 8,500 applications made.

BSO Chief Executive Dougie Scarfe said: “It’s wonderful to have an area of seafront which can be flexible for the public and we are delighted to be a part of the first Pier Approach concert.”

See all our stories on the Imax, video and pictures of the demolition, an infographic and more at bournemouthecho.co.uk/imax