The operator of intu Watford has announced Cineworld will run the new IMAX cinema planned as part of the Charter Place redevelopment.

intu said the new Charter Place will have a 40,000sqft cinema multiplex, with approximately 1,500 seats and nine screens, one of which will be an high definition IMAX.

The aging shopping centre is set to be demolished and replaced with a new complex it shops, restaurants and leisure facilities as part of a £100 million regeneration scheme.

Construction is due to start next year with the development due to open in 2017.

Rebecca Ryman, regional director at intu, said: "The signing of Cineworld to Watford as anchor for our development is hugely significant for the town. We will deliver a fantastic new dining, leisure and retail experience which will be the best in the region and the signing of Cineworld is a key part of that."

The Charter Place deal comes after intu signed Cineworld in November to run the cinema in its intu Potteries, in Stoke-on-Trent.

Jenny Lee, property acquisition manager of Cineworld, said: "For Cineworld, key locations are vital to our brand. The exciting plans for intu Watford and the intu Watford extension enable us to bring the Cineworld brand to yet another important location."