WE'RE still here and we're not under water! That's the message from business at Bournemouth's Waterfront building, who are fed up with being lumped together with the controversial IMAX cinema.

Dave Norton, manager of the Harbour Lights pub, said: "There's been a lot of negative press about IMAX when there are four very successful businesses in here. People don't realise the IMAX is just the cinema.

"Every time there's a story about IMAX in the Daily Echo, we get people ringing up and saying 'Are you still open?' or 'Have you been turned into a swimming pool?'

"IMAX is here and there isn't a lot anyone can do about it, but there's also KFC, Red Panda, Jumpin' Jaks and us. We're still busy and we've had a good summer. We've employed 60-70 people over the summer and we drive the business for a lot of activities, like the fireworks nights, when we had hundreds and hundreds of people here."

Mr Norton admitted the building itself was not everyone's cup of tea, but added: "It's only an eyesore if you look at it from the back. When you are in the Pier Approach, it's quite nice."

Building of the Waterfront complex started in 1998 and the Sheridan IMAX cinema finally opened in March 2002, more than two years behind schedule. Last Easter, the group announced it was closing the cinema for a refit, but it failed to reopen during the summer.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has suggested turning the cinema into a swimming pool, which is what used to be on the site before the Pier Approach Baths was demolished and the BIC built.

First published: October 3