HUGE progress continues to be made on a near-£100 million development project with Colchester’s newest restaurants and leisure complexes nearing completion.

Work on the Northern Gateway project, which is located close to the Colchester United football stadium, got underway early last year.

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

Gazette: The building behind the Travelodge, which will be home to various restaurantsThe building behind the Travelodge, which will be home to various restaurants (Image: Newsquest)

The site had originally been due to open this autumn, but was delayed until next year because of construction delays.

The Gazette understands the handover of the construction sites for some of the on-site buildings has already been completed.

Gazette: Cineworld (left building) will be alongside Hollywood Bowl and PuttstarsCineworld (left building) will be alongside Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars (Image: Newsquest)

A handover marks the final phase of a construction project where the completed build is transferred from the construction team to the client or owner.

Following this step, the interior fitting is next on the agenda.

Gazette: What will be Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars from the front of the developmentWhat will be Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars from the front of the development (Image: Newsquest)

The fitting of the Cineworld is expected to take several months, which fits the timeline provided by developers Turnstone Estates, who announced last month the scheme’s full launch, including the opening of the flagship cinema, has been put back until early summer next year.

Gazette: The site from aboveThe site from above (Image: Newsquest)

However, further progress can still be seen on the site.

The building which will be home to the various new restaurants located behind the Travelodge, can now be seen to include a grey exterior, with windows fitted and colourful panels dotted around the outside.

Next to this, boasting a similar design, is the building which will be home to Puttstars and Hollywood Bowl.

The parking on site, close to the Colchester United stadium, is also taking shape.

Gazette: What will be the Hollywood Bowl site backing onto the new Cineworld (right)What will be the Hollywood Bowl site backing onto the new Cineworld (right) (Image: Newsquest)

Mile End councillor Martin Goss said: "As far as I am aware, everything is moving forward.

"The main thing is this is private investment and not taxpayers money.

"We are responsible for some of the infrastructure cost, but it is a huge lease of council land to Turnstone.

"And in 35 years, all of this returns to the council, so it is a long-term investment.

"I am over there regularly so get to see it every week and it is exciting to see it coming together.

"It is a good investment in the area, and will help bring together the city centre."