CONSTRUCTION works on a £50 million leisure complex are set to get underway in August, a new report has revealed.
Colchester Council's cabinet is being asked to approve changes to the development agreement with Turnstone Estate Limited, the firm creating the new Northern Gateway Leisure Park just off the A12 at junction 28.
A report says the deal requires modifications "because of global changes over the last 12 months caused by the Covid pandemic" with the changes focused on "financial restructuring".
The report reveals if the changes are approved, construction on the leisure complex should start in August.
It says: "Construction on the new development at the Northern Gateway was originally due to start in June 2021 and complete in 2024 and this modification would allow minimum slippage to this timeframe and help with the economic recovery of the town post-Covid, providing some confidence for others too."
The approved plans for the leisure park, which will cost around £50 million, feature a 12-screen cinema, set to be run by Cineworld, as well as seven restaurants and a 90-bed hotel, run by Travelodge.
They also include two drive-thru eateries, a bowling alley, an indoor golf centre and a climbing facility as well as a landscaped piazza and a car park with 750 spaces and associated electric vehicle charging points.
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The report says Turnstone has signed agreement with a "number of known chains and operators".
The Hollywood Bowl Group is set to open both a Hollywood Bowl and a Puttstars golf centre but the restaurant operators are unknown.
The Northern Gateway Leisure Complex. Picture: Turnstone Estates
Details of the proposed agreement have not been released as they are commercially sensitive, but the report says Colchester Council will retain the freehold of the land, meaning the authority will receive rental income each year.
The report adds: "The development was previously estimated to create circa 700 new full and part time jobs on completion, whilst the construction phase was estimated to bring 260 direct jobs and a further indirect and supply chain employment."
Colchester Council's cabinet will discussed the changes at a meeting on Wednesday.
Units are being marketed to prospective tenants.
Visit turnstoneestates.com to find out more.
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