Trowbridge's £17m cinema development is going to provide a reel boost to the town’s economy with hundreds of new jobs being created.

The St Stephens Place Leisure Park will have the Odeon cinema, six restaurants and a Premier Inn when it is completed.

The £3.7m cinema will employ 30 people, Nando’s is currently in the process of hiring around 40, while Prezzo and Premier Inn will soon begin advertising for positions, looking to employ 20 people each.

Colin Kay, Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president, said: “This is creating a range of new jobs and will be a major boost to the economy of Trowbridge. For many people it will be their first steps on the ladder in the catering and hospitality industry which could lead them to have jobs all over the country.

“The fact that people want to invest so much money in Trowbridge is a really positive message.”

The seven-screen cinema will be opening on October 25. Nando’s is due to open at the start of November, with Prezzo and the 80-bed Premier Inn expected to open later next month.

The occupants of the remaining four restaurants have still to be announced by the site’s developer, Legal & General Property.

Nando’s and Prezzo are now fitting out their units, with the hoardings around the development expected to come down soon. Much of the paving for the 111 car parking spaces is complete with landscaping work still ongoing.

Tim Russell, Legal and General Property’s senior asset manager, said: “We are excited about Odeon opening its doors on October 25 and look forward to launching other key elements over the following weeks.”