It could be your chance to spot the stars – or cause drivers a few headaches.

But either way, until mid-May, there will be 18 days of road closures in Margate to allow for filming of the new Sam Mendes feature film Empire of Light.

It will mean stretches along the seafront being shut off on 13 occasions, with other streets across the town also affected.

But the timetable could give locals the chance to catch a glimpse of Oscar-winning actors such as Olivia Colman and Colin Firth, who are starring in the film.

Initial shooting has already begun, with the seafront closed off on Tuesday and transformed into a winter wonderland for the Hollywood movie.

A spokesman for Wetherspoon, which runs the Mechanical Elephant on Marine Terrace just along from the cinema, says there is a buzz about the place, with people spotting famous actors.

"Building works on the set/stage, near to the pub, started back in October and we have had the builders in the pub, regularly for breakfasts and evening drinks, so all positive," the spokesman said.

"When the film is released, this will have a further positive impact on the area, as people will come to see where it was filmed."

He said the pub will always be available for deliveries as well as customer access during the road closures.

Ray Marino, who runs Cinque Ports and International Wrap Artists next to the cinema on Marine Terrace, says it's amazing to have such a high profile film shot right on their doorstep.

"The cinema building looks fantastic and we are absolutely delighted to be right in the centre of the action," he said.

"There may be some small changes to our frontage, whilst filming is in progress, to keep in line with the era, but inside we’re still very much in Mexico.

"The film production team are a delight to work with, they’re really conscientious and go out of their way to minimise the impact on local businesses and the community.

"Most of the road closures have been scheduled in off peak hours and won’t affect us.

"Of course, people can still access us on foot, although they may have to pause if someone shouts ‘Action’."

He added: "The buzz around town is palpable. Both the filming and the legacy left behind will no doubt be a massive boost for Margate."

James Cody, from Sands Hotel in Marine Drive, agrees that there is a wonderful buzz around the town at the moment.

"It's generating a lot of excitement for the local area," he said.

"As far as us as a business, it seems to be quite normal for the time of year. We're not seeing a massive difference yet because of the filming, although we can see a lot of things being put up from where we're located, which is exciting.

"If this film becomes really big, then that could create even more buzz for the town and more people visiting."

The stretch of road along Margate Main Sands – Marine Terrace – will be closed on 10 separate occasions, including from 9.30pm for some overnight filming.

Marine Drive, Market Street, Albert Terrace, Hall by the Sea Road, King Street, Cliffe Street, Fort Paragon and Athelstan Road will also be affected on certain days.

Mr Cody says they have two entrances, one on Marine Drive and another on the high street, and people who have booked will be asked to use the latter.

People wishing to access businesses such as GB Pizza and the Glass Jar on Marine Drive, or the Mechanical Elephant and Cinque Ports on Marine Terrace, will still be able to do so by foot, giving customers the chance to have some drinks or dine on the doorstep of a movie set.

Empire of Light is written and directed by Mendes – the Oscar-winner behind films including 1917, American Beauty and Bond films Skyfall and Spectre – and is believed to be a love story set in and around a cinema during the 1980s.

Margate's iconic Dreamland building has been transformed in recent days into a stylish retro cinema named the Empire, while outside Marine Terrace has been strewn with fake snow and hung with Christmas lights, turning it into a picture postcard.

Eddie Kemsley, Dreamland CEO, says they are delighted that Sam Mendes, Neal Street Productions and Searchlight Pictures have chosen the cinema building as the centre piece for the feature film.

"The Grade II-listed building, located on the seafront overlooking the famous Margate sands to the sea beyond, has been a much-loved and iconic feature of the town’s skyline since its construction in the 1930s," she said.

"It’s wonderful to know that after over a decade of being unused, the Grade II-listed Dreamland Cinema building will enjoy a new lease of life as it takes centre stage in Sam Mendes’ latest project.

"It’s a testament to Margate and the wider county of Kent that we can attract such high calibre productions, which not only significantly contribute to the local economy, but also help to highlight the gems that Kent has to offer to a worldwide audience.

"Already, we’ve seen a positive impact within our community as hundreds of local people and businesses are getting involved to support the production.

"And at what is normally a quiet time of year for our hospitality industry, restaurants and accommodations are bustling with crew and cast."

Ms Kemsley says Dreamland is still open for indoor music events and corporate hire, and the team is busy preparing the park, ready for its reopening.

"We’ll be making announcements in due course, so everyone will know when the park will be open," she added.

"The future is bright and exciting for Dreamland and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back this year."