IT was supposed to be the building which would bring visitors flocking to Bournemouth in all weathers and seasons.

But now just one business remains open in Bournemouth’s troubled Waterfront complex, home to the defunct Imax cinema.

The Red Panda Chinese restaurant has closed its doors without warning and KFC has shut up shop for the winter.

The news comes hot on the heels of the closure of live entertainment and party venue Jumpin Jaks.

Now just the Harbour Lights pub and its associated Wacky Warehouse remain open in the controversial 10-year-old building.

At the Red Panda, there are no notices on the door and no incoming calls are being accepted.

There is also no answer at the company’s Belfast head office but three other Red Panda restaurants in Northern Ireland are thought to remain open.

KFC, on the beach side of the building, has signs up saying it is closed for the winter and will re-open in March.

The news has been greeted with sadness by the president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Nigel Hedges.

He said: “It is always a terrible shame when any business closes for whatever reason, particularly in such a pivotal place in the town.

“We can only hope that there is a fabulous plan for that building that we don’t yet know about.”

Tim George, manager of the Harbour Lights, said he had not heard of any plans for the vacant parts of the building but stressed his business is open all day every day.

“The closure of the other businesses does not help us because the more businesses that are open at this end of the town, the more people it draws,” he said.

He urged Bournemouth council to invest in the seafront and added: “It could be successful all year round down here if more was put into it.”

The £20 million complex on the former Pier Approach baths site caused controversy from the moment it was built amid claims that it had destroyed views across the bay.

The Imax cinema was only open for a brief period and the Exchange Bar and Grill also closed.

The leaseholder, Nilgos (Northern Ireland Government Officers Superannuation committee), was not available for comment.