A NEW entertainment venue which is part of an ongoing multi-million pound leisure development in Colchester appears to be edging ever closer to completion after signage was installed.

Colchester’s Northern Gateway Leisure Park, just off the A12, is continuing to progress at an exciting rate, with its Hollywood Bowl now nearing completion.

The complex, which will create up to 55 jobs, is set to boast 27 ten-pin bowling lanes split over two floors, including four luxurious VIP lanes and two mini golf courses.

Gazette: Duo - Hollywood Bowl manager Sarah Macnab with Tim Deacon of Turnstone EstatesDuo - Hollywood Bowl manager Sarah Macnab with Tim Deacon of Turnstone Estates (Image: Damina Leydon and Jacqui Wordsworth/Sizewell C)

The site, which promises to bring a taste of modern LA to Colchester, will also boast state-of-the-art amusements and an American-style bar and diner.

Work on the internal part of the building began last month and signage has now been put up at the facility, which bosses hope will officially launch “towards the end of June 2024”.

As well as the new Hollywood Bowl site, the rest of the £65 million Northern Gateway project also continues to progress and take shape.

Just three units remain, including the site next to what will be Hollywood Bowl, which currently displays a For Let sign on its exterior.

Gazette: One of the vacant units at Northern Gateway next to the site's sign showing three units remainOne of the vacant units at Northern Gateway next to the site's sign showing three units remain (Image: Steve Brading)

New pictures exclusive to the Gazette also show progress is being made across the whole site, which was originally due to be finished in autumn last year.

Due to the building programme becoming “out of sync”, however, it was pushed back to summer this year by developers Turnstone Estates. 

Gazette: Northern Gateway continues to take shapeNorthern Gateway continues to take shape (Image: Steve Brading)

Greggs and Wendy's have already opened restaurants at the site, with other brands set to open including Slim Chickens, Kervan Kitchen, El Guaca Mexican restaurant, Kaspa’s desserts, Joyato sushi and grill, buffet company Nines and Taste of Italy.

Turnstone Estates bosses said in their last update in March the Slim Chickens restaurant and the Hollywood Bowl site were fitting out their premises, with other restaurants due to start work “shortly”.

Gazette: Northern Gateway will boast huge on-site parkingNorthern Gateway will boast huge on-site parking (Image: Steve Brading)

“The Travelodge hotel is close to completion and is set to open this May,” a spokesman added.

A 12-screen Cineworld with a Starbucks concession is also set to open at the site, with an opening date yet to be confirmed.

Turnstone Estates said previously it “awaits confirmation from Cineworld”.