UP to 400 new jobs will be created in Trowbridge when the developer of the former Bowyers site builds a long-awaited cinema, supermarket and restaurants.

Developer Prorsus said as well as an eight-screen cinema, at least five restaurants and a Morrisons supermarket there will be a public square, a family pub and a riverside walk.

Speculation about what might go on the site, off Stallard Street, has been rife since it was announced in July that Prorsus had taken it on.

Bowyers once employed thousands of people from across the area until it finally closed in 2007.

The area has remained derelict ever since.

Prorsus say they can promise that their development will happen because it is fully-funded, unlike other projected Trowbridge developments in the past which never materialised.

It is understood Cineworld is in the process of signing a deal to open a new cinema and a number of national chains are competing to launch their own restaurants.

Angus Horner, managing director of Prorsus, said: “This will be a really exciting development for Trowbridge as we’ll be providing great leisure facilities, bringing some of the wonderful old buildings on the site back in to use and opening up the riverside for the public to enjoy.”

Mark Chappell, development manager for Morrisons, said: “We’re really excited to be part of this scheme which we envisage being a significant all-round benefit for Trowbridge. We look forward to working with local suppliers, creating local employment and bringing our unique Market Street fresh food offer to the town.”

The area will be named Innox Riverside, in honour of the site’s historic past and the Innox Mill.

Mr Horner added: “Our vision for Innox Riverside is simple – to turn the former Bowyers site into a wonderful place to meet, eat, relax, shop and watch movies.

“Too many schemes in Trowbridge have promised great things then failed to deliver, but Innox Riverside is already fully funded and, if we get planning consent, could be built in time for Christmas 2013.”

As part of the development, routes leading from the neighbouring Trowbridge railway station to Fore Street would be improved with the developer’s money.

The scheme also promise to revitalise a main route into the county town.