NORTH Colchester's landscape continues to change as even more progress has been 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.

Construction of the 90-bed Travelodge hotel reached its highest point in November last year.

Gazette: Under construction - The new Travelodge hotel is starting to take shapeUnder construction - The new Travelodge hotel is starting to take shape (Image: Newsquest)

Wendy’s is expecting to open its new branch this month. The fast-food venue will boast a drive-thru and will offer its classic menu staples, as well as some special menu items specifically catered to UK punters.

The other food outlets at the site will include Kervan Kitchen, a regional buffet operator providing global cuisine, an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, and a gelato hub, which have all agreed to lease units at the leisure park.

Colchester Council's planning department approved plans last month for four fascia signs to be installed at the new Greggs' drive-thru.

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

Gazette: Long awaited - Work started at the site in March last yearLong awaited - Work started at the site in March last year (Image: Newsquest)

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

Cineworld, which already has complexes in Braintree and Basildon, is trying to raise a staggering £1.8 billion in funding to prevent it from going under.

Speaking previously, former deputy Colchester Council leader Adam Fox said he is “looking forward” to the completion of the Northern Gateway development.

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

Gazette: In progress - Restaurants, a cinema, and a trampoline park will be coming to the leisure parkIn progress - Restaurants, a cinema, and a trampoline park will be coming to the leisure park (Image: Newsquest)

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