WORK on the Regent Circus Development is entering its final phase with a full opening expected either later this year or early next.

Ashfield Land, which owns the site, is expecting to finish the building work to the restaurants and cinema in September, before they are fitted out.

There have been a few delays which have pushed the work back but the Morrisons store it set to open in the autumn.

That half of the construction is complete, and the supermarket chain has spent the past month fitting out the premises ahead of opening.

When fully open, Regent Circus will have a multi-screen Cineworld along with a number of restaurant chains such as Nando’s, Coal and Prezzo.

James Digby, of Ashfield Land, said: “I would say we are now in the final stages of construction and we would expect building to be finished around mid-September.

“At that stage we will hand everything over to the tenants for fitting out so I would expect everything to open at either the end of the year or early next.

“We have had a few delays but that is construction. Everything is still progressing well and it will open as planned.”

Also opening at the £100m complex will be an Ask and Jimmy’s Spices, leaving two empty units.

One of these has recently been filled although the name of the latest addition is yet to be revealed.

“We have signed an agreement with another tenant so there is now only one left,” said Mr Digby.

“I am not in a position to say who it is at this stage but it is a national chain which everyone will have heard of.

“Talks are ongoing with a number of potential companies to take the final unit so I’m confident that will soon be filled.”

Although it was initially hoped the whole complex would open at around the same time, Morrisons will be opening several months before the rest of the site.

In May, a recruitment drive was started to employ around 200 workers which received a strong response.

A meeting is being held on Thursday when residents will have an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have about the new road layout around the site which has caused concerns, among other issues. It will start at 6.30pm at the Civic Offices.