Progress of The Mills development is full steam ahead, which will soon bring a wealth of exciting new hospitality to the heart of Mount Gambier.

Located at the heritage-listed Oatmill Precinct, the undercover decking is down and new toilets and upgrades to fire safety are under way in the Oatmeal Factory.

The cinema forecourt and deck are set to be open mid-July and final touches will be made in August to complete this space.

Local Kennett Builders are building the forecourt and Oatmeal Factory works and Adelaide-based architecture, interior design and landscape architecture practice Das Studio designed the upgrades.

Kennett Builders Site Manager Caolan Buckley said Kennett had been working hard with Das Studio along with Adelaide tax and business advisors Evans and Ayers to provide a high-quality new establishment at the heritage site.

“We’re bringing new life to a very important asset in Mount Gambier and with clients prepared to invest in the South East which is promising for the local community,” Mr Buckley said.

“It’s a fantastic heritage building and we’re glad to be a part of it.”

Das Studio director Dino Vrynios said as with all heritage buildings, there had been challenges with existing conditions that only became known once demolition was under way but the project team was committed to undertaking the upgrades with care and respect.

Mr Vrynios said the big-picture plan was to turn the space into a food, hospitality and commercial hub.

“There’s been multiple businesses that have come in and gone, obviously Belgiornos is a staple and the cinema is a staple, but really great businesses that bookend the precinct,” he said.

“But what’s different I think this time around is we have got a client who’s clearly got a visual.

“You can see the investment they’re making in the site in terms of they’re not spending the money on the fit outs of what the spaces are, they’re actually improving the public realm.

“So I think that’s a really important symbolic thing they commit to the project.”

Das Studios architect Jenna Holder said for a long time the buildings had not been particularly accessible, so that was a big part of what they were working on.