FOUR food brands are set to open restaurants and eateries on a £65 million leisure and retail park in Colchester, it has been revealed.

Kervan Kitchen, a regional buffet operator providing global cuisine, an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant and a gelato hub have all agreed to lease units at the Northern Gateway, situated just off the A12.

The ambitious complex, scheduled for completion this autumn, has already secured signatures from the likes of Wendy’s, Greggs and Travelodge.

Proposals also show the facility will boast a 12-screen cinema, 20-lane Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Puttstars indoor golf centre and Jump Street indoor play park.

Gazette:

The identities of the new restaurants have yet to be confirmed but the buffet operator will occupy a 4,000 sq ft site and the Gelato and Mediterranean restaurants will both move into a 3,200 sq ft unit.

According to Whybrow’s chartered surveyors, who are on the project’s development team, negotiations with several other businesses are also promisingly moving ahead.

Ewan Dodds, chief executive officer of Whybrow, said: “We’re delighted to be assisting on transforming the Northern Gateway into a hub.

“[This] is a key part of our commitment to boosting the economy of the borough.

“The whole development will benefit from the construction of a carbon-cutting, heat network to supply heat and hot water to the developments’ homes and businesses.

“A digital network will provide ultra-fast broadband to homes and businesses, as well as encouraging biodiversity through bio retention ponds and the planting of trees.” 

The ten-acre Northern Gateway development, which will also have an EV charging station and parking for 750 cars, is being spearheaded by Turnstone Estate.

READ MORE: Confirmed: Colchester will get new cinema - and here's when it could open

READ MORE: Colchester woman attacked by teen gang and struck with bottle

Paul Beresford, chief executive officer of Beresfords, which runs Whybrow, said: “We are pleased our expert team are working on this exciting project.

“Northern Gateway Leisure Park will have a great impact on the local community and beyond, and we look forward to seeing it complete next year.” 

To find out more information about the Northern Gateway leisure park visit northerngatewayleisurepark.co.uk.

Colchester Council has been contacted for comment.