Preston city centre cinema and leisure complex plans set to be approved

A view of the proposed cinema development

Full plans for the new Animate cinema and leisure complex are due to be approved tomorrow (Thursday 31 March) by Preston City Council.

The proposed development will be located on the former Indoor Market Hall site between Earl Street and Tenterfield Street in the city centre.

The application seeks planning permission for redevelopment of the site to provide a multi-screen cinema, flexible use Class E units and a car park with associated hard and soft landscaping, servicing and access details.

The development will include an eight-screen cinema, Hollywood Bowl, competitive social unit – which could house facilities such as crazy golf, darts, pool or an escape room – restaurants, 164 space car park and new public space.

The total floor area for the development would be 15,639sqm and the facilities are to be split across the three floors:

Level one: 164 parking spaces including 18 electric vehicle charging points and eight disabled spaces accessed via Tenterfield Street and Ringway. Access to the bowling alley and service yard is also proposed at this level.

Hollywood Bowl CGI — Hollywood Bowl has been announced as the first tenant

Level two: Five restaurant units facing the new public space and terraced seating area with the main cinema access to the eastern end of the building. The bowling alley would be located on this level but at the rear of the building.

Level three: Cinema lobby and screens, a large restaurant unit facing onto the market canopy with access to an external terrace and the competitive social unit which would be to the rear of the building.

Planning documents argue that the new building will be a positive addition sitting opposite the Covered Market, a Grade II listed building:

“Whilst the proposed southern elevation of the new building would be a prominent new addition within the immediate setting of the Covered Market, it is not considered to be over-powering. It is considered the scale is respectful to that of the canopy and the stepped approach to the overall scale of the building helps provide a street frontage similar to those within the immediate context.

“The design of the frontage with its set back and variation of height and movement in the façade is also considered acceptable. It is considered the use of the ground floor for bars/restaurants will help enliven the space between the Covered Market and proposed development, and the design successfully deals with the level changes present and how they relate to the Covered Market.”

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