The view from Orchard Street looking up towards the Markets

Preston’s Market cinema and restaurant revamp has been officially lodged with Preston City Council.

The £50m scheme, which would see the current Indoor Market, car park and part of Lancastria House demolished, includes an 11-screen cinema and seven restaurants.

Muse Developments are behind the scheme and hailed the paperwork being put in as a ‘significant milestone’.

The Light cinema operator is due to be the operator of the cinema and says it will have ‘a large format experience screen’.

The Markets plan sees market traders moved outside under the Covered Market with a glazed surround protecting the permanent stalls from the elements.

Regional director for Muse Developments Mike Horner said: “Submitting the planning application is a significant milestone in realising this important project for Preston. It represents the culmination of much hard work alongside the Council to ensure the proposals are of the highest quality and in accordance with the wider plans for a comprehensive and successful regeneration of the markets area.

“The proposals are a great opportunity to provide much-needed leisure facilities for the city and we’re confident that the proposed scheme, along with a quality cinema operator, will offer something different, bring families back into the city centre, create jobs and become a catalyst for further investment.”

Related: Can Preston support two major cinema developments in the city centre?

Preston City Council announced last week it has appointed the contractor to begin refurbishing the grade-II listed covered market canopy – costing £625,000.

Work on the Fish Market canopy has already begun and is nearing completion.

A rival scheme from the Fishergate Shopping Centre which features Vue Cinema moving from the Capitol Centre is due to be discussed at the city council’s planning committee on Thursday.

Related: Claim by Fishergate owners the city could support three cinemas

Planning officers have recommended the Fishergate scheme be rejected – claiming it is ‘premature’ and highlighting traffic issues with the site.

The city council confirmed a planning application had been received, but has not yet been validated – which can take up to 10 days.

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