Work is finally set to start on the final steps to bring a new cinema to Colchester town centre.

The directors of Curzon have revealed they are ready to start fitting out the three cinemas and roof top bar at the Queen Street destination.

Two restaurants and another bar, which will be run separately, are also being created alongside the cinema.

Robert Kenny, operations director at Curzon, said: “There have been a few delays, but we should be on site very soon to start the fit out. Very excited about this one, it’s going to be a beauty.”

Work began on creating the Curzon at the start of the year and original opening date was set for September.

However, it is now believed it will be early next year before the doors finally open.

The fit out is expected to take around four months for contractors to complete.

Colchester Council bosses are promising the Curzon will just be the next step of the regeneration of that area, which began with art gallery Firstsite.

Last week demolition work began on neighbouring building, the former Keddies department store, which is set to make way for a £30million food quarter in the town.

The Keddies building is being taken apart by contractors before a new hotel and seven restaurants and bars are built in its place.

The scheme could be completed as early as 2019 with a planning application expected by the end of the year.

Tim Young, Colchester Council portfolio holder for business and culture, said it was an exciting time for the area.

He said: “The Curzon fit is starting to look really good and demolition of James’s House next door is now progressing, which is going to be the hotel and restaurants.

“It really should upgrade that area to something where people really want to visit.

“I think it will end up as a really valuable asset to Colchester and it is in that part of town which has been a bit of a heel since Keddies closed down really.

“It really is one of the pieces of the jigsaw we needed to bring a really vibrant feel to the whole of Colchester.”

Mr Young added the hotel would be run by a “well-known chain”, but said he could not yet reveal who it was.