Ambitious plans to regenerate one end of Great Yarmouth's Golden Mile have been welcomed by seafront businesses.
The proposals for a casino, cinema and restaurants were given outline approval by the borough council last week.
There is broad support from business owners in Marine Parade for the multimillion pound scheme called The Edge.
Owner of Fish, Chips and More, Susan Gray, said she was all for it.
She added: 'Look, whatever they do up there will make this seafront better. We are all for making Great Yarmouth great.
'I hope it would extend the holiday season. That's what this seafront needs.'
She said the plans for big name restaurants, far from being unwelcome competition, would be a benefit.
MORE: Great Yarmouth casino and cinema plans Edge closer as councillors unanimously vote in its favourManager of Mission bar and lounge Reece Withers said the busier the town was the better.
He added: 'The sea front needs more night life. It's dying round here. Hopefully this development can stretch the nighttime trade out longer.'
The owner of the Coast to Coast gift shop, Harry Elliott, said he hoped it would extend the season.
'Sometimes we leave in the second week of September because there's nobody here.
'If anyone is going to put money into a seaside town, it's got to be good for everyone.
'I was here 30 years ago and the people coming here today is only 20pc of what it was.'
The owner of the Pirates Cove Adventure Gold, Marilyn Daniels, thought it was a good thing.
MORE: Pleasure Beach owner's delight at major Great Yarmouth seaside development with £5m hotelShe added: 'I think it could bring more people, as a hotel and casino are year-round things. I think we could also do with as many professional restaurants as possible.'
Owners of Flutterbies tea and coffee room, Sharon and John Walmsley, liked the plans.
Mr Walmsley said: 'When you come for more than a couple of days, you'll have a wander down the seafront and Regent Road and have a look in the town.'
However the manager of Leisureland Amusements was more cautious.
Stuart Lines said he could not see anyone wanting to go to the industrial heart of South Denes.
He added: 'It's going to take everything away from this end if it goes ahead.
'I've been here 12 years and can't see people wanting to come here just for that. If you wanted that you'd go to Norwich.'
History
In 2007 it was announced that Great Yarmouth would be home to one of eight 'large casinos' under government plans for across the UK.
Under the legislation, they must have a minimum area of 10,760 sq ft (1,000 sq m) and up to 150 slot machines with a maximum jackpot of £4,000.
In 2012 the borough council chose The Edge to be the site of Yarmouth's large casino, ahead of a rival bid by Palace Bingo and Casino which already operates a smaller casino in the town.
The Edge project could help regenerate a disused area of land which has stood empty for many years, and once formed part of the South Denes caravan park.
It is the third time the plans for the site have been looked at the council. In 2006 a scheme was approved in outline form. It had ten pin bowling, health/ fitness facilities, a multiplex cinema, casino/bingo plans and 290 car parking spaces. Then in 2011 a hybrid application for a leisure complex and casino was passed.
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