THE new cinema development at Yate Riverside will soon be underway as the managed programme begins next week.

The leisure scheme will see a six-screen multiplex cinema constructed as well as seven restaurants/cafes and three high street retail units.

Contractors will move onto the site on Monday 20 October to start clearing the vegetation in preparation for building work to start early in the New Year.

Mark Hull, Managing Director of Crestbridge, owners of Yate Shopping Centre and the developers behind the new leisure scheme, said: “This moment has been a long time coming so it is nice to finally get things underway. The contractors, ISG Pearce, will be working closely with our ecologists over the next few weeks to clear the site of all vegetation whilst monitoring wildlife on the site.

“We anticipate starting construction of the new buildings early in January with a phased opening starting later in the year and final completion in spring 2016. We are in discussions with a fantastic line-up of operators that will cause real excitement in the town and hope to make further announcements about the names involved in the not too distant future”.

The leisure and retail scheme was officially launched last month stating Cineworld was to anchor the proposed new 98,000 square feet park and 360 new free parking spaces.

Andrew Lowrey, Shopping Centre Manager, said: “Yate Riverside might be the news the public want to hear but the centre of attraction in the town over the next few months will be at the Shopping Centre where Peter Andre will be highlighting our Christmas lights event in November. We are also due to announce more new high profile tenants before the end of the year.”

The outdoor mall was constructed in the 1960’s and has developed and changed considerably over the years.