A CINEMA is still set to open as part of ongoing works to build a £65 million leisure park despite the ongoing crisis facing Cineworld.

Work started on Colchester Council’s Northern Gateway leisure park in February last year and is scheduled for completion this autumn.

It is set to feature two drive-thru restaurants, a Travelodge, a bowling alley, parking for 750 cars and a 12-screen cinema complex.

The development was set to welcome Cineworld, but the company’s financial struggles were laid bare last summer, when reports surfaced the cinema giant was in £4 billion of debt.

The firm’s issues were brought to the fore by the Covid-19 pandemic and damage payments owed to competitor Cineplex.

Gazette: Development - the Northern Gateway Leisure Complex is expected to cost around £65 millionDevelopment - the Northern Gateway Leisure Complex is expected to cost around £65 million (Image: Turnstone Estates)

Last year Colchester Council said it was happy with Cineworld’s financial position, adding it has contingency plans in place with other providers.

But uncertainty has continued to persist over the future of plans for a cinema as part of Northern Gateway.

This month it was revealed Cineworld is to sound out prospective buyers.

The world’s second largest cinema operator announced it will launch a formal sales process to find buyers for all of its assets.

Colchester Council has confirmed the cinema development at its leisure park will “proceed as planned”, with an ambition to open in September.

A council spokesman said: “Cineworld continues to operate whilst it seeks to sell its UK business.

“Whether Cineworld is the future operator or not, we expect the new cinema to open as part of the successful delivery of a diverse leisure offering at Colchester Northern Gateway.

“This £65 million leisure development, funded by Canada Life, gained planning approval in 2020 with construction of the 200,000sq ft scheme starting in February 2022.

“As well as a cinema complex, the leisure park boasts an impressive line-up of occupiers committed to the scheme, including Hollywood Bowl, Puttstars, Kervan Kitchen, Greggs, Wendy’s and a rapid charge electric vehicle charging station.”