Preston’s Animate cinema and leisure complex car park – prices, entry and more

Entrance from Ringway to the new Animate car park Pic: Sonia Bashir

Preston’s new entertainment and leisure complex opens this week including a new eight-screen cinema.

As part of the building there’s a new city centre car park to replace the former Market Hall car park – which was demolished alongside the former indoor market.

Animate car park will have 164 spaces and sees the re-opening of Tenterfield Street by Preston Magistrates’ Court to be able to access it.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Animate car park.

How do I get to it?

The access is via Tenterfield Street and Ringway, following the same routes as the former market car park.

Pedestrian access is via the passageway between Animate and Lime House.

When does it open?

The car park opened on Thursday (20 February) alongside the Arc cinema and Taco Bell. Confirmation will be given on Thursday morning.

Another view of the Animate complex and car park Pic: Sonia Bashir

What are the opening times?

The car park will open 8am to 1am, seven-days-a-week. The car park is planned to close after the final cinema showing ends each night.

How much will it cost?

Up to 1 hour – £1.50
Up to 2 hours – £2.90
Up to 3 hours – £3.80
Up to 4 hours – £5.00
Up to 8 hours – £9.50
Over 8 hours – £12.00

Is there any free parking?

The Arc Cinema has said its customers are offered three hours free parking when visiting the cinema, customers will enter their reg once they visit the cinema. Blog Preston understands it is the only part of Animate where free parking is offered.

And for a short period, until early March, free parking is being offered to all those using the Animate complex (so visiting the cinemas or any of the restaurants which are open).

What are the payment options?

Cash, debit card, credit card and parking payment apps

Are there parking fines?

H X Parking is operating and enforcing the parking restrictions. And ANPR is installed in the car park.

Will it have EV charging points?

No, there’s no charging points for electric vehicles or hybrids.

Are there disabled parking bays?

Yes, eight of them

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