NEW artist’s impressions of the £50m leisure complex to be built on the site of the former Swindon College building have been revealed.

Developer Ashfield Land has faced several delays since acquiring the Regent Circus site in 2006, but contractor Wring Demolition is now set to start work to pull down the eyesore on Monday.

In preparation for demolition, the college car park was closed last Thursday, causing an uproar from local businesses who said the move would damage trade, and called for temporary alternative provision.

The project will include a 52,000sq ft Morrisons superstore, eight restaurants, including Ask, a six-screen digital Cineworld cinema and a 450-space car park.

Ashfield land says the development has also attracted ‘other major retailers’.

The images show units bearing signs for restaurant chains Nan-do’s and Prezzo, which are said to have signed up, plus Japanese-French restaurant Umami and Huntsman restaurant.

Andrew Fisher, managing director of Ashfield Land, said: “The cinema deal is a major step forward for the project and is an important piece in the jigsaw for the transformation of this part of Swindon town centre.

“I am delighted to welcome Cineworld and I know they will provide the people of Swindon and visitors with a first class movie-going experience.

“To have so many enquiries from major occupiers demonstrates how attractive the Regent Circus development is and the tremendous appeal of a rejuvenated Swindon town centre.

“We look forward to making further exciting announcements very shortly.”

The Adver reported last week that senior local politicians and John Keil, manager of Cineworld at Shaw Ridge, believe Swindon’s third cinema will transform the night-time economy.

Steve Wiener, chief executive of Cineworld, said: “Regent Circus will enhance our ability to provide entertainment to residents of the greater Swindon area.”

Ashfield Land acquired the freehold for the site in 2006 and facilitated Swindon College’s relocation to a new £17m campus in North Star.

Work has started to remove some of the trees around the site ahead of the demolition and hoardings are expected to be put around the site within two weeks.

Construction is hoped to start in early autumn with an opening date in 2014.