As Sittingbourne prepares to welcome a new cinema and bowling alley, the latest phase of a long-awaited multi-million pound town centre regeneration scheme, we take a look at how the project is progressing.

Given the green light in 2017 the Spirit of Sittingbourne was hailed as the creator of 800 jobs as it welcomed restaurants, homes, shops and a new cinema.

Footage shot on a drone as it weaves through the Sittingbourne venue

Four years on, and one pandemic later, some of the Bourne Place plans have gone ahead, while others remain in the pipeline and some have fallen by the wayside.

We take a look at the proposals, versus the reality...

The Light Cinema

The newest addition to the town centre's mega plans will open next Friday, but it hasn't all been plain sailing.

It boasts an eight-screen state-of-the-art cinema, a nine-lane bowling alley, retro arcade and two dining experiences in the form of Pittsburger and Fratellis pizza.

However, a bowling alley wasn't always in the plans for the complex and was only added last year.

It's been a stop and start process for The Light Cinema and deputy chairman Keith Pullinger, who earlier this year revealed they had planned to open last month but were left waiting a year with no income due to the pandemic.

Despite this, Mr Pullinger remained hopeful and as restrictions eased he stepped on the gas and hired 40 people for the grand opening.

New venue manager Mil Gjoni said: “We can’t wait to open Sittingbourne and let the people of Kent experience the best in entertainment.

"Whether you’re looking for delicious food, a brilliant movie, fun with your friends or just a place to meet, we want each visit to be as fantastic as the first."

Pizza Express and Creams

In February it was announced that two big hitting national chains had pulled out of plans to join the multi-million pound project.

Pizza Express and dessert parlour Creams were meant to occupy units near the new cinema.

Although announced in February, it was revealed at a Swale council meeting that the decision of the eateries' U-turn had been known "for some time".

They weren't the only food places planned for the complex to change their mind and ditch opening plans.

At the end of 2018, restaurant chain Wildwood withdrew from the town’s regeneration scheme after "experiencing trading difficulties".

Sentado Lounge

The Sentado Lounge café and bar was a positive sign for the project after it became the first eatery to open its doors to customers in October.

However, it wasn't all positive news for the new establishment as it was forced to close after just three weeks because of the pandemic.

On Monday it reopened again for the first time in five months.

Manager Mark Bishop said: "It was a very successful reopening and everyone was really happy to be able to get back inside, especially when the rain came.

"The team are really excited to be open properly again and to welcome people into the lounge, particularly after being open for three weeks last year and then being closed for five months.

"It was just an all round feeling of relief that we can get back to what feels like a new normal and get the town up and running again."

Nando's

Questions have been raised over the arrival of Portuguese chain Nando's and whether it is still coming to the town after early plans revealed it was in the pipeline.

Swale council confirmed earlier this week the eatery hasn't pulled out of the regeneration scheme, despite speculation on social media, and is set to open later this year.

A spokesman for the chain confirmed plans are still in place and they expect to be open in Autumn.

He said: "We are still coming to Sittingbourne and looking forward to opening up later this year, most likely we are looking at the Autumn. There is no official date yet but we will let you know as soon as we have one."

Travelodge

Not only providing a source of entertainment, eating and shopping, the Spirit of Sittingbourne set its sights on opening a new budget hotel for the town.

And in March last year it did exactly that when a new Travelodge, opposite the town's railway station, was the first business from the project to be up and running.

The 63-bed hotel building was paid for by Swale council and was meant to be open by December 2019, but was delayed and opened three months later, creating 15 new jobs in the process.

Housing

Originally, there were 213 apartments proposed for the development.

However, in January last year it was revealed the consortium delivering the multi-million pound regeneration was to be scrapped.

Swale council and the Spirit of Sittingbourne agreed to end their partnership.

It means plans to develop high-rise housing on three council-owned car parks – Cockleshell Walk, Spring Street and Fountain Street – didn't go ahead.

The land had been given to Spirit under the development agreement and was returned to the council.

The end of the development agreement also meant a second phase of the plans was scrapped.

This was based around a new civic centre, with residential development at the council’s existing home Swale House.

'I think this site will be an attraction to visitors and therefore to long term investors...'

Five months before, in September, a 317-space multi-storey car park was opened in Bourne Place, next to St Michael's Road.

Empty spaces

Four years on from the announcement of the project there are still some holes to fill for the council, with a number of units still to be filled.

But Swale council's leader Cllr Roger Truelove says this is set to change soon with the some restaurants lined up for a "prime" spot opposite Sittingbourne railway station.

The Labour councillor said: “We are currently working through the legal documentation for restaurants in the prime position opposite the station and we will continue the search for the remaining letting.

"In the current pandemic this is a much more favourable position than might have been anticipated.

"With the cinema opening next week, with the added attraction of the bowling alley, I think this site will be an attraction to visitors and therefore to long-term investors.

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne