REGENT Circus has been labelled a "disaster" after another restaurant left the struggling town centre complex.

The closure of Swindon's Prezzo branch by the Italian chain's new owners Cain International means just three of the units on the site are active.

Built at a cost of £50m on the former Swindon College site and hailed as a triumph for the town when it opened as recently as 2014, Regent Circus now faces an uncertain future.

Its centrepiece has sat empty since Morrisons shut up shop in late 2019.

Veteran Lib Dem councillor Stan Pajak represents Eastcott and campaigned for the supermarket to stay open.

He said: “It’s such a disaster, the whole thing. 

“Since losing Morrisons it’s dramatically gone downhill. It has been a disastrous story. 

“You wonder if there will be any take-up of the remaining premises on the site. 

“We need to save our town centre because it’s in such dire straits. You often hear new people might come in but it never happens. 

“It’s a terrible situation.”

Nando’s and newest addition Lamaya Bar and Grill remain open for takeaway and collection but are closed to diners under lockdown rules. 

Cineworld closed all of its UK branches before the second national lockdown last October and it remains unclear when it will reopen at Regent Circus, although Boris Johnson's roadmap indicates cinemas could start welcoming moviegoers again from May 17.

When it opened six years ago, Regent Circus was backed by restaurants such as Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Coal Bar and Grill, as well as the Morrisons supermarket – popular with those living in Old Town and the centre. 

But in the past two years there has been an exodus.

Last August the Adver reported Regent Circus was up for sale for a cut-price £24m.

But Mark Girling, who covers the site for agents Montagu Evans on behalf of owners Aberdeen Standard, insists it is not on the market.

He said: “Our client has confirmed that Regent Circus is not for sale at the current time.”

Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for the town centre Dale Heenan says there is little the local authority can do to help. 

He said: “Regent Circus has always been privately owned and there are no options available for the council to intervene. 

“Covid has been devastating for leisure and hospitality across the UK and I think people are realising just how serious an issue it is. 

“Cineworld has been closed since October because new films aren’t available and social distancing limits audience numbers so they can’t break even. 

“Prezzo went bankrupt and the new owners are closing 22 restaurants and have openly said they are simply focused on getting the company through the current crisis with mounting liabilities and no revenues. 

“While Morrisons vacated the site I understand they are committed to paying their rent for another 14 years under their lease.

“The sooner we can all return to normal with vaccinations, the sooner everyone will have more confidence and new businesses will open. 

“Lamaya is a gem of a restaurant serving fresh Lebanese food, and I hope everyone gives it a try in the coming weeks to help keep them going. I think it’s one of the best places in Swindon”

The Adver contacted supermarket chain Morrisons to ask whether it was still paying rent but the company said it did not comment on contractual matters.