Work on a new leisure quarter is well underway.

Contractors started the work for this part of Sittingbourne's multi-million pound regeneration at the end of November, laying the foundations for the construction of an eight-screen Light Cinema, a 63-bed Travelodge hotel and big-name restaurants such as Nando's and Pizza Express.

Work on the leisure quarter is expected to be completed in November/December this year, with the opening set for early 2020.

Speaking about the scheme Darren Chapman, senior contracts manager for PDR Construction, said: “It’s a major plus for the local community, they’ve got a nice new cinema coming, lots of eateries and a new hotel, so we see it fitting in very well with The Forum and the local community.”

Mr Chapman said the firm was proud to be delivering such a scheme for the town and its people.

“They’ve got a major flagship scheme here, in a flagship position – dead opposite the station, in the middle of the town – and what a great opportunity,” he said.

Work on the leisure quarter started after the new road layout outside Sittingbourne Railway Station was finished in November.

Once complete, the £57 million regeneration scheme is expected to attract up to 400,000 visitors to the town a year.

To find out more, visit www.spiritofsittingbourne.com