MULTI-million pound works to transform the historic Grays town centre cinema into a pub are almost underway – at last.

Hoardings have been put up around the State in George Street, sparking the start of the £30million transformation project.

It has prompted delight from the community.

Love Grays, a community organisation dedicated to improving the town, said: “Looks like Wetherspoons may be getting their hard hats on!

“Watch this space.

“We can’t wait to sink our teeth into a good old mixed grill.”

Thurrock Council has also welcomed progress to convert the iconic site into a pub.

The plans to develop the site of the old cinema are taking a step forward, with the remedial works on the building now set to start in late April.

A Thurrock Council spokesman said: “The council welcomes this progress towards the development of a modern bar by Wetherspoons in the heart of Grays which will create an estimated 60 new jobs.

“The development will form a key element to the improvement and regeneration of Grays Town Centre.”

In January, the Gazette reported how plans to transform the art-deco building were expected to be delayed until sometime next year.

An ambitious plan to refurbish and redevelop the State Cinema into a Wetherspoons bar was approved by Thurrock Council more than six months ago.

It had taken JD Wetherspoon more than three years to put the plans in place.

The chain revealed the project may not start this year as the firm has “a lot of projects and they have to work out a schedule and some sites start later than expected”.

However, that now seems to no longer be the case.

The pub chain has been contacted by the Gazette for comment.