A SOUTHAMPTON businessman is to launch a campaign in a bid to redevelop the city’s waterfront .

Kuti Miah, owner of Kuti’s Brasserie, an Indian and Asian restaurant at the Royal Pier, Mayflower Park, is to call on local residents, businesses and councillors to come together in a bid to raise money and find investors to develop the waterfront.

The news comes as the £450m plans for a hotel, a casino, 730 homes and a gourmet market at the site of the derelict Royal Pier have been scrapped.

As reported last week, Southampton City Council (SCC) has ended an agreement signed in 2014 with developer RPW Southampton Ltd.

The authority said it remains committed to the redevelopment of the Royal Pier and welcomes “all expressions of interest from potential investors”.

But Mr Miah, better known as Kuti, said the Royal Pier needs to be redeveloped as soon as possible and is hoping to launch a campaign to raise both awareness and money for the project.

He said: “What else can you do? We have already waited enough. It’s time to take action. I would invite the city council to back my campaign. The waterfront has to be redeveloped as soon as possible.”

Kuti, who opened its restaurant in 2008, fears the latest news will put investors off and will have a negative impact on the city’s economy.

He said it’s time residents, local businesses and city bosses come together and start raising money for the scheme.

“People would pay if it would help make the city nice,” he added.

As previously reported, the reasons behind the move have not been revealed.

Cllr Christopher Hammond, leader of SCC, said the authority worked closely with the developer facilitating meetings and approaching potential investors but none of these came to fruition.

SCC said it will continue to work with neighbouring waterfront landowners, Associated British Ports and The Crown Estate, as well as the occupiers, to explore the potential for development plans.