DEMOLITION work on one of Colchester’s ugliest buildings has begun... to make way for a £30 million regeneration project.

The former Keddies building, in Queen Street, is being taken apart by contractors as council bosses press ahead with plans to create a food and drink-led quarter.

The building, built in the 1960s, has been empty for years and has become an eyesore.

Halstead Gazette: Store - the Keddies store to the left of the picture seen in the 70s.

In its prime - how the area looked in the 60s and 70s

But this move means there is fresh regeneration hopes for the three-acre site, which will become home to seven large restaurants and bars as well as an 87-bed hotel and a public boulevard.

A planning application is due this year and it is hoped the scheme will be completed in 2019.

Halstead Gazette: st botolphs

Plans - how the site could look in 2019

A new three-screen Curzon cinema, as well as a roof-top bar and a separate ground floor bar is planned for the neighbouring Roman House.

Halstead Gazette: CGI - How the new Curzon cinema could look

Next year - Curzon is set to open early next year

Two as yet unnamed restaurants are also on board.

Cinema bosses had hoped to open this autumn but it is now understood the launch has been delayed until early next year, to tie in with Oscar season.

Tim Young, Colchester councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “We’ve never made any secret about looking at what could be done on this side of the town centre.

“I suppose the council is now putting its money where its mouth is.

“This is the first step on the way to making this part of Colchester somewhere where people are attracted to.”

Halstead Gazette: Revamp - Roman House in Queen Street, Colchester is set for a massive revamp

Before - the building had become a well-known eyesore

The culture boss added: “With Firstsite already in place, the new cinema coming and the social side of things we have planned, it is a very exciting time for the town.

“It’s probably fair to say few people have shed a tear at losing that building.

Halstead Gazette: St James House, Queens Street Colchester development..The old waiting rooms flattened.

Demolition - the building is being dismantled 

“It appears to have served its purpose in the Sixties but times have changed since that and the world has moved on.”

The scheme is part of a wider council plan to regenerate the eastern and southern side of the town centre, which includes the long-running proposals for the £70 million Vineyard Gate shopping centre.

Curzon was contacted for comment but no-one was available by the time the Gazette went to press.