THE new Winter Gardens is an attractive complex that will bring life to Exeter Road.

That was the general consensus among shoppers in Bournemouth town centre visiting the new Winter Gardens arts and education centre roadshow in the Square.

The road show, which was also in the Square on Tuesday, provided information and images of the proposed venue.

The plans will come before the planning board of Bournemouth Borough Council in the next couple of weeks, said Cllr Bron Littlewood, among those on hand to answer people's questions.

It will host a wide range of professional music and dance supporting the development of new work and offering extensive opportunities for participation and learning. Performances will also include comedy, club nights and family events.

There will be various performance spaces indoors and outdoors, a café, specialist cinema and education suites all with a festival-type atmosphere in what will be a landmark building.

It will give Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra a daily presence in its home town.

Other partners include Dance South West, the Arts Institute at Bournemouth and Bournemouth University.

Every school child in the borough will get the chance to visit the centre and participate in music and performance activities when doors open in 2009.

Cllr Littlewood said: "There has been a lot of interest and everyone has been positive. People are very excited about it. It is unique.

"It will be the first building in the UK to have music and dance under one roof."

Ian Kendall, project manager for the Winter Gardens project, said: "The majority of people seem very pleased with the ideas and concept of the Winter Gardens.

"They think it is an exciting opportunity for Bournemouth. This consultation has been well received."

Trader Gurses Yildirim, who owns Snappy Pizza and Central off-licence on Exeter Road, believes the project would bring more people to Exeter Road.

He said: "I have got a couple of shops just opposite. At the moment Exeter Road doesn't have anything going on and at the moment it is very, very quiet.

"The plans look very nice and the green open space should attract a lot of people."

John Hammond, 68, a frequent weekend visitor to Bournemouth, said:"I welcome any new development as long as it's not detrimental to any existing activities. It is going to have to attract a wide audience.

"I wouldn't want it to be a white elephant like the IMAX."

Tom and Danka Dudding welcomed the new Winter Gardens.

Dr Dudding, who performed double bass at the old Winter Gardens, said: "It's really good that it's reopening again. I have lived here all my life and when it closed down we lost a great arts centre for Bournemouth.

"It will be good to have a true concert hall back. The former building was falling apart so I think the new building is nicer."