THIS is the latest artist's impression showing how the £30m Market Quay shopping and leisure complex will change the face of Fareham town centre forever.

The centrepiece of the attraction will be a five-screen cinema providing a welcome boost to the town's night-time economy.

Fareham council's planning committee will consider minor amendments to the overall plans at its meeting on November 13.

Widely expected to get the go-ahead, this will mean all the conditions of the contract between Fareham council and the developers have been fulfilled.

Three start dates for work to begin have already come and gone.But now civic chiefs and joint developers Miller/CTP insist their latest start date is for real.

Preliminary work will start in December with sewerage works and the first building work will begin in February.

Fareham council's executive leader Councillor Sean Woodward said: "After many years of disappointments and false dawns for Market Quay I am delighted that the council and its development partners Miller/CTP are getting close to being able to deliver the Market Quay Leisure and Retail Scheme.

He added: "The development of Market Quay is the culmination of the council's strategy to regenerate Fareham town centre and will complement Fareham Shopping Centre with the two schemes linked by the unique Henry Cort sculpture exhibition."

The developers of Market Quay have exchanged agreements for leases with retail and leisure operators including TK Maxx, Wilkinsons, JJB Sports, Peacocks and health and fitness club L A Fitness.

The Market Quay complex is expected to be fully open by March 2004.