A NEW multi-screen cinema and five restaurants will boost jobs in Glasgow's East End.

Up to 200 unemployed locals will be thrown a lifeline when a new leisure development at The Fort shopping park is completed next summer.

Building work is due to start next week and will support 250 construction jobs on a project which will be completed a year before the East End plays a pivotal role in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The £9million leisure development will comprise an eight-screen Vue cinema as well as a TGI Friday grill and cocktail bar, PizzaExpress, Harvester, Chiquito Mexican restaurant and bar and a Prezzo Italian eatery.

The Fort's centre manager Phil Goodman said: "We are absolutely delighted the leisure development will soon be under way and we can look forward to an important and major extension to the park's offering next summer."

He added: "A leisure development will be a great addition to the area and provide a real boost in terms of entertainment as well as for the area's economy.

"It comes at an exciting time. With the Commonwealth Games coming, we will be proud to have such a fantastic showcase for visitors to come and enjoy what the area has to offer.

"We understand the role we can play in helping support the local economy and community and will work with our partners to identify jobs for people from the East End of Glasgow."

More employment opportunities for the East End have been welcomed by Glasgow's Regeneration Agency.

Chief executive Calum Graham said: "This announcement of a new cinema and leisure facility at Glasgow Fort is excellent news for Glasgow residents who are facing major challenges in accessing the labour market.

"GRA is delighted to be working with our partners at Glasgow Fort to offer fantastic employment and training opportunities at the new development to so many people."

Mr Goodman confirmed that up to 200 jobs will be created and said they will be filled by locals.

He commented: "Glasgow Fort is a successful collaboration between the public and private sectors.

"Council-owned land was sold to the private sector to create a giant retail park which would create jobs for the East End's unemployed."

The Fort opened in 2004 and has about 90 stores. It employs 2000 workers, more than 1300 of whom live locally.

Overlooking the busy M8 motorway, it has won numerous awards and was the first shopping centre in Scotland to introduce midnight shopping in the run-up to Christmas.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk