THE new owner of Llandudno’s former Pavilion site believes a £15million entertainment complex could “totally change” tourism in the town.

Adam Williams, who also owns Llandudno Pier, said plans for the new development will honour the architecture of the former landmark and include a bowling alley, a range of indoor entertainment, bars and restaurants.

It is currently at an early stage and Mr Williams said there will be “no rush” to submit a planning application as he expects the development to exist for 200 years.

The pier already employs 100 staff, as well as another 50 seasonal positions, but the new development could generate an additional 150 year-round jobs.

“The plans are not just what the people want in Llandudno, it should also be the successful answer.

“You can have a short-term money-making scheme but that’s not what the Pier is about.

“This is going to be there for generations, it is going to suit everybody and be what we need.

“The first thing is all sorts of winter off-season rainy entertainment; we have got to improve business during the quiet times, the rainy times, and that’s what we’re aiming at.

“During the six weeks from July to August we can’t get any busier, nor do we need to get any busier.

“What we have got to do is ensure people will still want to holiday here during the winter, as they will have something to do here.

“It is a long winter and if we can keep the economy going in the winter we can keep more staff, and have a knock-on effect on the town and its hotels better.

“I think it could change the town totally.”

Plans for the development follow Adam buying the land from developer Alan Waldron for an estimated £2.8m last month.

The old pavilion was destroyed by a fire over twenty years ago and has remained empty since.

Mr Waldron put the site up for sale following lengthy and controversial £18m plans for flats, which were strongly opposed by residents, who wanted a return of the Pavilion site amusements that could be used by people and tourists in the town.

In October, Mr Williams purchased a £1m Ferris wheel with the aim to “extend the shoulders” of Llandudno’s tourism season.

It is currently being used at Sheffield’s city centre festive market to attract more holidaymakers from the north of England.

The Pavilion site owner said the development will also be adaptable so that it can meet the demands of future changes in the tourism industry.

“We don’t intend to rush plans for this building; it needs to be there and usable for 200 years,” he said.

“We also need to get this right so that the use of the building can change as the industry changes.

“We have to make sure we construct big enough shells of a building so that we can change the internals.

“But what we’re talking about now is what the building was originally designed for.

“We would like to try and replicate in some manner the original Pavilion, or some representation of it that is recognisable.”