THE city's Cineworld cinema is set for a multi-million pound revamp.

The impressive £9 million plans for a multiplex would create up to 30 jobs and almost double the cinema site in size.

If the plans are approved four new screens would be added to the existing six and four units of restaurants and bars would be added next to the cinema.

Developers Peel Investments says, if it gets the go ahead from Gloucester City Council planners, it could enhance Gloucester's economy and provide residents with better leisure facilities.

Peel Investments has applied for full planning permission to extend and refurbish the existing Cineworld cinema at St Ann Way, Gloucester.

The new cinema (which would still be Cineworld) would increase in size by 3,197 square metres to 5,500 square metres.

If planning consent is granted later this year by the planning committee, the development will be completed next summer.

Grenville Bird, senior investment manager at Peel said: "As part of the overall regeneration strategy for the Gloucester Quays area, Peel is keen to improve its St Ann Way Retail Park, which was constructed in the late 1980s and is now beginning to look dated.

"We want it to reflect the quality and design ethos we have built into the designer outlet and the application for the cinema extension is the first step in that process.

"Gloucester Quays will bring many more visitors into the area, especially when the new Inner Relief Road and Canal Bridge opens later this year.

"The cinema operator is keen to take advantage of this, as well as improving the facilities it can offer to its existing customers, providing some of the best facilities in the area."

But the developer says it is not yet known which restaurants, cafes or bars will fill the four plots next to the canal.

Leader of Gloucester City Council Paul James has also provisionally given the development a thumbs up.

He said: "Gloucestershire deserves improved cinema facilities and this will deliver them.

"It will deliver new leisure services to the city. Rather than the cinema being isolated, it will be an integral part of the Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Docks regeneration.

"It will certainly enhance the evening economy and bring people into the docks and the city. Everyone will benefit from it.

"For Gloucester to only have six screens is a bit on the light side. This will take us where we need to be as far as cinema provision is concerned."

Cineworld was not available for comment.