Three well-known restaurants have signed on to Preston’s multi-million pound leisure and entertainment complex, ‘Animate’ at the heart of Preston city centre.
The triple signing sees over 18,000 square feet of leisure space taken at the landmark city centre scheme which is being delivered for Preston City Council by its development partner, Maple Grove Developments.
The three operators, all of which are new to Preston, include; Italian restaurant Zizzi which is taking 3,250 square feet on the main terrace which fronts Preston’s market canopy; Latin American bar and restaurant Las Iguanas; and World buffet operator Cosmo which will take 11,000 square feet on the upper floor.
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The scheme’s restaurant offer will complement the two lead anchor operators Hollywood Bowl, which has signed on for the 16-lane bowling alley and gaming zone and Arc Cinema which has taken 30,000 square feet for an eight-screen venue.
Main contractor Eric Wright Construction is set to start work on the construction phase in January 2023 and the restaurants are expected to be operational once the scheme opens in late 2024.
Located within the city’s Harris Quarter, Animate was given the go-ahead by Preston City Council earlier in October and in addition to the main leisure anchors will offer five primary restaurants plus a street food hub and competitive social space, significantly enhancing the city centre’s retail, leisure and cultural offer.
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Animate will also feature a new underground car park with 164 spaces, with improvements being delivered to the surrounding public realm, improved pedestrian links, a changing places facility as well as enhanced landscaping, tree planting and street lighting.
Marc Ward, Head of Acquisitions for Azzurri Group which owns Zizzi said: “Preston has been a long-standing target for Zizzi.
“We have been working with Maple Grove and Preston City Council for many years to bring this development to fruition and are very pleased to be part of this exciting leisure and restaurant hub at the centre of this major UK city.”
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Leader of Preston City Council, Councillor Matthew Brown, said: “The strength of these three popular restaurants agreeing to sign before the main construction phase begins, is testament to this game-changing development which is now 75 per cent let.
“This shows an exceptional level of confidence in a scheme that will make a big difference to the regeneration of Preston’s leisure, entertainment and cultural offer.
“Animate will remain in the ownership of the Council for the people of Preston and will be central in delivering secure, long-term jobs, skills and training opportunities, and will boost footfall into the city centre, supporting our cultural economy and retail core.
“As part of the construction and development phase local suppliers and trade union partnerships will be a significant feature further supporting our vision of an inclusive economy.”
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