The Winter Gardens will be replaced by the arts centre

Bournemouth Borough Council's cabinet have agreed proposals to turn the Winter Gardens site into an entertainment and education centre.

It has been told that seven arts industry partners have now confirmed they will join the project.

The site will be cleared during the first half of next year if the full council back the proposals in January.

The new centre will host dance companies, concerts, an art-house cinema and music and dance classes.

We will succeed in providing a landmark cultural and educational facility in Bournemouth Councillor Angela Manton

Groups backing the plans include Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, which will provide a music education centre.

Dance South West has also agreed to have its regional base at the new facility.

Contemporary music group Kokoro will also be based there and Bournemouth and Poole College will relocate its music and dance courses to the site.

The Arts Institute will provide degree and post-graduate courses in music while Bournemouth University will provide a centre for radio and broadcast history.

Councillor Angela Manton said: "We're confident with the support from the partners that we've got already, we will succeed in providing a landmark cultural and educational facility in Bournemouth."