COLCHESTER’S Northern Gateway development will not be completed and open until next year because of construction delays, it has been revealed.

The new £70million Leisure Park, which is being built next to Colchester United’s JobServe stadium, had been due to open this autumn, but developers Turnstone Estates have said the building programme has become “out of sync”.

Chris Goldsmith, managing director of Turnstone Estates, said in an official statement delays had had knock-on effects on the overall timescale of the project.

He said: “[The project] involves a highly coordinated build programme where the slightest delay can have serious knock-on effects.

“Unfortunately, that has been the case, but I know the further wait will be well worth it.”

Work started on the whole project in February 2022 and a Travelodge had been due to open as part of the development in July this year with the whole project completed this autumn.

Wendy’s drive-thru is already open for trading, and a Greggs bakery and Fastned EV charging station are expected to open shortly.

The 90-bed Travelodge is expected to open by Christmas.

Turnstone Estates has announced today that the scheme’s full launch, including the opening of the flagship Cineworld, has been put back until early summer next year.

Mark Cory, deputy leader of Colchester Council and cabinet member for resources, said: “From the beginning, we envisioned the development of Northern Gateway to have a phased approach, which has come to fruition with the recent opening of Wendy's drive-through restaurant and now continues with the upcoming launch of Greggs within the next few weeks.

"I eagerly anticipate the next steps in the development, with the opening of various restaurants early next year and the highly anticipated launch of Cineworld in early summer.

"These developments are not only enhancing our community's options for entertainment and dining but are also creating numerous job opportunities, with Colchester Northern Gateway set to generate numerous jobs for our local population.”

On completion, Northern Gateway leisure park will comprise a new 12-screen Cineworld multiplex with a Starbucks concession, a 20-lane Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Puttstars adventure golf centre and a wide variety of restaurants including El Guaca, Kaspa’s, Joyato Sushi & Grill, Slim Chickens and Taste of Italy.