Over the next six weeks the inside of the cinema will be stripped out before the roof is removed in October, which will take a further two weeks.

After that, it will take until December to fully demolish the building. A brand new state-of-the-art four screen cinema will be built on the north side of Aylmer Square by autumn 2008. Once finished, the building will be handed back to the cinema owner for fit out.

The regeneration has been made possible through a £31.5 million investment from the RDA. This cash injection has been crucial to attracting developers David McLean Developments who are providing the remainder of the investment. The scheme will take two years to complete and will include new shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, a 550 space underground car park, and seventy apartments - 30% of which will be made available as affordable housing for local people.

Other work being carried out includes removing retaining walls and remaining foundations, and the ramp to the former car park on Old Vicarage Place will be removed on four successive Sundays to avoid disruption. Telephone and power lines are also being diverted.

The contractor for the scheme is Sir Robert McAlpine.