THE man behind the new restaurant in Poole Park has hit back at "misleading" information and defended his plans.

Adrian Forte has been catering in the park for 23 years and is investing £2 million in a restaurant beside the lake and revamp of the caf, part of which will become an indoor ice-rink.

He was responding to comments reported in the Echo last Friday in which Cllr Philip Eades said the park was being "vandalised", turned into a "theme park" and would become a "champagne and caviar" venue.

"I don't understand what all the scaremongering is about," said Adrian. "We are not looking to commercialise the park. We are not looking to profiteer in the park."

He said the oak trees on the promontory would not be touched and the park's neighbours would not face noise disturbance. "There is no question of champagne and caviar."

A main lunch meal would cost around £5, the same as at the caf, with a main dinner course in the restaurant from under £7 to £17-18, he said.

"It will be within the reach of most people who are going out for an evening. It's not about the elite. It's about a good quality service to the middle market."

He said: "The council is being very tough in making sure that it doesn't cause offence to anybody. It's providing a service and we are happy to do that.

"We don't want to upset our neighbours. They won't hear it and they will hardly see it."

Cllr Eades also objected to a council application for a public entertainment licence for its public open spaces, including Poole Park, which has nothing to do with the restaurant.

Matti Raudsepp, open spaces manager, Borough of Poole said they had no aspirations to stage boxing and wrestling in the park.

"We have gone to great lengths to negotiate with Adrian and his business partner a lease that reflects the concerns of local people and that makes the restaurant a success," he said.

First published: November 4, 2005