A BOUTIQUE cinema which will regenerate part of Colchester’s town centre has been delayed... but council bosses insist plans for a £30 million overhaul of the area are “imminent”.

Curzon, which was initially set to open in Queen Street in September last year, has now been delayed until the summer.

The project had already been delayed until next month but yesterday a spokesman admitted the three-screen cinema is more likely to open in June or July.

It is understood the delay is a result of long-running work to the building which meant Curzon’s own fitting team was not given permission to get on site until last week.

The delay is not expected to affect plans to revive the area between Queen Street and Firstsite, which will see an 87-bed Travelodge built in place of the now-demolished former Keddies building.

An array of bars and restaurants are also set to be included in the plans, put forward by Norwich-based Building Partnerships.

Paul Smith, leader of Colchester Council, said: “It is a shame there will be a delay to Curzon but I believe plans for the rest of the site are imminent.

“I would expect the plans for the site to be submitted within the next few weeks.”

It is hoped the entire scheme will be open in 2020.

The Lib Dem leader added: “With the plans to expand the George, Wagamama set to open in two weeks, the plans the Co-op has put forward for St Nicholas Square and what we are hoping to agree in Jacks, I think we are really starting to see that side of the town take shape.”

Curzon, which will be the town centre’s second cinema, will include a downstairs bar as well as a rooftop terrace.

As part of the development, there will also be a public walkway between Queen Street and Firstsite.