CONSTRUCTION on a new cinema has started following the demolition of most of a shopping centre.

These photos were taken from the cab of the tower crane, which is being used for the construction of a new cinema, restaurants and student housing in the centre of Durham.

The former Gates shopping centre, next to the River Wear between Milburngate and Framwelgate bridges, is being redeveloped as The Riverwalk and is due to open in the summer of 2018.

The crane was moved onto the site at the start of January. The cab sits 88ft above the site while the jib has a radius of 196ft.

Nick Berry, partner at Clearbell Capital, the developer, said: “We are at a very exciting stage of the development of The Riverwalk, with demolition close to completion.

"Over the coming month, the removal of the roof structure above the existing mall will start. This will allow us to create the new Riverwalk passage, square and terrace, which will form part of the wider public space The Riverwalk will include when it opens.

"The erection of the first crane has allowed for the construction of the steel frame for the new restaurants and Odeon cinema to begin, which will continue throughout the summer."

The crane is scheduled to be dismantled in September, while a further two cranes will be moved onto the site in the next few weeks, which will be there until October and November.