DATES have been pencilled in for the opening of the units at the Regent Circus development, with Morrisons confirmed for next month and some restaurants before Christmas.

Developers Ashfield Land, industry professionals and Swin-don Council representatives were all at the former Swindon College site on Thursday evening for a party to celebrate the near completion of the complex.

Building work is far from finished and Ashfield acknowledged this in its invitation to celebrate the ‘not quite’ practical completion of Regent Circus.

With figureheads and tenants-to-be in place at the party, dates were shared on when businesses will start trading.

It is no secret the Morrisons superstore would be the first to open its doors, with October now set as the official launch month.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen will start flipping its patties on December 15 and Cineworld, which will operate a six-screen multiplex, due for opening in time for the February half-term school holiday.

Ask Italian is yet to commit to an opening date, but Nando’s has said it is likely to be serving customers by the time the cinema opens.

There are currently job vacancies listed on the Nando’s website for the Regent Circus outlet, with a deadline date of September 24.

James Digby, director at Ashfield Land, said the party had been created for the great and the good of Swindon.

Council leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) was one of those who attended, and he said he was taken aback by what he had seen and believed the project was already creating benefits elsewhere in town.

“It was excellent. It’s the first time I have ever been to a party in a building site. It was very impressive though,” he said.

“The reason for holding it now, I believe, was because Morrisons is busy fitting out its store now and when that is open it is unlikely there will be the chance to do a proper launch party.

“It’s fabulous inside. It’s amazing to see how much they have fitted into a small space.

“I have been speaking to professionals in property, who are saying they are now able to see an increase in interest in property around the vicinity.

“It’s drawing in additional investment. Local businesses are looking to up their games because they realise the quality of the offer in there means they need to do more themselves.”

Mr Digby said: “We were keen to show the industry what we have achieved with this party.

“There is still some way to go with the building works. Practical completion is not until early November, so we still have two months of hard work ahead of us.

“We are pleased with the way our vision originally for the site has come to fruition despite going through a tough time with the economy.”