A new 'cultural and recreational' scheme is being planned for the heart of Bromley, following an agreement between the Cathedral Group and the local authority.

The London-based developer has announced that it has already received interest from a range of leisure operators regarding the Geddes Architects-designed development. Bromley South Central will be sited around Westmoreland Road and is poised to boast a nine-screen multiplex cinema; 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) of cafés and restaurants and a 150-room hotel.

Private and affordable apartments and an underground car park also feature as part of the project, which will see an existing 600-space car park demolished. Cathedral Group chief executive Richard Upton said: "We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Bromley Council, moving the development a significant step toward completion on a site which is so key to the continuing success of the town centre economy.

"Even in the current climate Cathedral has been able to ensure that 60 per cent of the Bromley South Central scheme is under offer to quality leisure and public infrastructure covenants and other service providers." Construction work is expected to start on site next year, with a view to completion in 2012.