DEVELOPER Mark Warrior is coming home in a big way.

He is one of the two business partners behind an ambitious £60m redevelopment scheme near the centre of his home town Middlesbrough.

Construction of the landmark development on the site - a 2,500 seater, four storey high UCG cinema - is almost complete.

It's opening, which will follow a multi-million pound fitting out, will be timed to coincide with release of a Hollywood blockbuster in the summer.

The collapse of the South African based fitness group Healthlands last year meant a seven figure loss for Mr Warrior's Highpoint Estates company.

National sports chain JJB Sports is to open a fitness centre on part of what would have been the keystone Healthlands site, with sports shops on the first floor; but still leaving Highpoint with an 8,000sq ft ground floor unit to lease.

"Financially, it was a catastrophe,'' said Mark. "We lost a significant amount of money. It's something we have had to swallow and take on the chin. But JJB Sports coming is a great deal for the town.''

Details of the second phase of the scheme for eateries and fast food bars is expected to be put to Middlesbrough Borough Council for approval towards the end of this month, with businesses expected to open in October.

Former Boro season ticket holder Mark describes the choice of Middlesbrough for the redevelopment as "a fluke''.

"It was pure fluke; a quirk of business that it happened'' he said. "It could have been Manchester, anywhere. We have contacts all over the world. We have site scouts and we work with local authorities and architects.''

Virgin cinemas, since taken over by the UCG group, were looking for a site for a new multiplex.

Mr Warrior said: "When it came to Virgin's requirements they just loved it, so when we approached Middlesbrough Council we were talking from a position of strength. Virgin were committed to Middlesbrough and Highpoint as the preferred developer.''

He said UCG had adopted Virgin's ethos - and the cinema will include a 'Premier Screen' with waitress service