There could one day be a production theatre in Dockyard. At least that is the hope of one Wedco developer as his company continues to transform the West End into a major shopping and entertainment arena.

Raymond Tannock, business development manager for WEDCO, admits that it is his "personal dream" for there to be a theatre with live shows and productions in Sandys. "The West End deserves something that is purpos-built," he said.

Though there may be plans in discussion at the moment, he refused to elaborate any further.

Mr. Tannock met with The Royal Gazette on Monday to discuss recent changes in Dockyard, including the opening of new stores like Makin' Waves, Phoenix, Daisy & Mac and Bellissimo, a high-end Italian goods store.

He said many businesses were thriving due to the influx of cruise ship passengers in the area; there are approximately two huge ships now at once.

"We have seen, in some cases, ten to 15 percent increase year-to-year," he said.

"What has been the most beautiful part of this whole exercise is that our tenants, our business partners, have looked at their businesses and seen how they can improve their operations to see how they can take advantage of the fact that we have more tourists walking about," he said.

Mr. Tannock believes businesses will have to become more aggressive and outgoing to sell their product and is looking forward to hearing feedback in the upcoming tenants' meeting.

In the past 12 months WEDCO has worked to improve the infrastructure in the area: the roads are now paved and widened to accommodate the heavy flow of traffic and a new sewage treatment plant is weeks away from opening.

Also being discussed are new and innovative ways to use some of the buildings in the area.

Mr. Tannock said: "We are getting a number of enquiries from entrepreneurs who want to set up some kind of shop here. Some are very encouraging, some are not, but we try to listen to each idea."

WEDCO is also trying to get more locals into Dockyard. The new Phoenix pharmacy is one reason for them to come, Mr. Tannock says. "As the general manager would say, he would like anyone in Southampton, when they are leaving their gate, to turn westward and not eastward".

Though the area is steadily booming, the developers want Dockyard to keep some of its local character. "What we need to do is to make sure that we keep some uniqueness about the whole Dockyard area and through that uniqueness the returning visitor will have something to look at, and to look to."