PLANS to transform the Bournemouth Waterfront complex are being studied by senior council staff.

Businesses had until May 22 to come forward for the former Imax cinema, and the council hopes the refurbished building can reopen in time for summer 2012.

Council leader Peter Charon said: “I have a meeting with the service director and we will be sifting through the applications over the next few weeks.”

The council bought the building for £7.5m in 2010. Hopes for a complete demolition were dropped in favour of reducing the height by eight metres. The public consultation has four preferred uses: tropical gardens, a water park, performing arts, and an interactive arts, museum and entertainment space.

There are nine units so restaurants, boutiques and bistros can fit around the anchor attraction.

The height reduction is supposed to be an interim solution that will last 10-15 years until the property market improves.

The Imax cinema sign was symbolically removed in March to mark the start of work but little has obviously changed since.

Deputy leader Cllr John Beesley said: “Most of the work that’s been undertaken has been internal.

“There’s a huge amount that has to be taken apart inside before you can start to take the building down, therefore it’s essential that all the internal work is done first.

“I am quite satisfied that it’s going at an acceptable speed.”

Ideas to make the exterior look better include plants, landscaping, public artwork and the possibility of solar panels being installed.

Former council leader Adrian Fudge had said it would be hard to attract people to the site given it is only a temporary solution.

However Cllr Beesley said: “There’s a fair amount of applications, from I have been told, about what we expected. There’s a variety of ideas.”

The Waterfront was opened in 2002 but the flagship Imax cinema was a flop and people hated the building’s ‘boxy shape’.