The 200,000 sq ft scheme forms part of Colchester Borough Council’s Northern Gateway.

It includes a 12-screen Cineworld, seven restaurants, two drive-thru restaurants, a 90-bed Travelodge hotel, Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Puttstars indoor golf centre and a Jump Street climbing centre.

Natalie Greig, Associate Director of Turnstone Estates, said: “We are delighted to reach this stage of the project and be starting work on site.”

Leisure centre and cinema complex designed by CMP Architects

Hitchin-based HG Construction is a leading Tier 2 design and build contractor delivering revenue of over £200m.

Conor Rice, managing director of HG Construction, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Turnstone Estates to help deliver this exciting new scheme for Colchester. We look forward to getting started soon.”

Planning approval for the 200,000 sq ft leisure scheme, located south of Junction 28 of the A12, was granted by Colchester Borough Council in December 2020.