Ambitious plans to reopen the iconic Regent on Deal seafront have been completed, three years after the building was bought by two businessmen.

It is hoped the three-screen cinema will be ready by the end of next year and the plans are now on the way to the district council.

James Wallace, 36, and Mark Digwood, 40, both from Kingsdown, have not disclosed how much the multi-million pound project is costing.

Mr Wallace, pictured, did say: “These are really exciting times. We are pleased with the scheme and we are eager to see the project completed.

“It will be worth waiting for and the Silver Screen At The Regent is wanted by the community.

“The cinema has always been an iconic building on Deal seafront and, with the Timeball Tower restoration work too, there will be a new lease of life for the town.”

In June 2010 the Mercury’s front page revealed that the two businessmen had bought the district council-owned building and masterminded the proposals for Silver Screen Cinemas.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, pages one and three, July 4 edition.