A MULTI-MILLION pound leisure park in Colchester is finally beginning to take shape, with one councillor calling the construction moving closer to completion as "fantastic".

New photos have revealed the significant progress being made on many of the buildings at the Northern Gateway Leisure Park.

Work on the £65 million complex, which is located close to the Colchester United football stadium, got underway in March last year.

The development will be home to a Travelodge hotel, Greggs, American fast food giant Wendy’s, Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Puttstars indoor golf centre, a Jump Street climbing centre, and seven restaurants.

Gazette: New hotel - Construction of a new Travelodge hotel reached its highest point in NovemberNew hotel - Construction of a new Travelodge hotel reached its highest point in November (Image: Newsquest)

Construction of the 90-bed Travelodge hotel reached its highest point in November last year while Wendy’s is expected to open its new branch at the site in May.

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A 12-screen Cineworld cinema complex is also under construction, despite the cinema giant’s fraught financial position.

Gazette: The Northern Gateway in Colchester as building work continuesThe Northern Gateway in Colchester as building work continues (Image: Newsquest)

According to Colchester Council, a contingency plan is in place with other providers if Cineworld was forced to file for insolvency.

Colchester councillor Adam Fox, responsible for local economy and transformation, said he is “looking forward” to the completion of the Northern Gateway development.

Gazette: Coming soon - The site will be home to seven restaurantsComing soon - The site will be home to seven restaurants (Image: Newsquest)

“It is fantastic to see all of the new buildings rising up out of the ground,” said Mr Fox.

Gazette: The new Northern Gateway development in ColchesterThe new Northern Gateway development in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

“There has been a lot of work over many years to get the Northern Gateway project to this stage, and to see the hotel, cinema and other buildings and restaurants come to life is great.

Gazette: Dramatic change - The land is almost unrecognisableDramatic change - The land is almost unrecognisable (Image: Steve Brading)

“We’re looking forward to those facilities opening later this year for the people of Colchester to enjoy.”

The huge development, which spans across 200,000 sq ft, is expected to be complete in the autumn.

Gazette: Vision - The £65 million development is due to open in autumnVision - The £65 million development is due to open in autumn

Speaking previously Colchester Council leader David King said: “It is great to see such progress ‘on the ground’.

"The results of significant investment in Colchester’s Northern Gateway will provide new jobs, places to enjoy, and much needed commercial income to help support council services into the long term.”