Dundee City Council has already granted permission for a major overhaul of the shopping centre, including a 900-seat multi-screen cinema, with the aim of attracting more visitors and making the Wellgate a key part of the night-time economy.

A revamp of the Murraygate entrance has also been on the cards, with extensive use of glazing proposed to make the centre more welcoming.

John Sullivan, director of Light Cinemas, who will be the operator of the complex at the Wellgate Centre, said they have invested well over £100,000 already and, if all goes to plan, the doors of the new cinema should be open in 2017.

Speaking to local business owners at a DD One city centre group meeting, Mr Sullivan said: “We are committed to delivering this project and we’ve already spent well into six figures on the planning and tendering stages so far.

“And it’s important this happens as I think Dundee is sadly lacking when it comes to leisure in the city centre.

“Having cinemas out of town is not convenient for most people’s leisure habits. The natural home for these places is in a town or city centre.

“Most people like to link two activities together when going to the cinema and if it is way out of town, that just isn’t possible.”

Designed by Threesixty Architecture, the remodeling would see the multiplex inserted on floors three and four of the existing centre following a six month demolition process and 18 months of subsequent construction.