Preston’s new multi-million pound entertainment and leisure complex is into its second month of operating – but do people know it is there?

Blog Preston surveyed Prestonians on the street outside Animate and found some did not know the council’s million pound entertainment project was open – just over a month on from its official ribbon cutting ceremony which saw headlines locally and nationally thanks to the Feathers McGraw statue.

Watch our report below on Animate and the Markets or view on YouTube

Animate Preston, which opened in mid-February, is a £45-million council-backed leisure and entertainment hub situated next to Preston’s Market Hall featuring Hollywood Bowl, Arc Cinema, Taco Bell, and Argento Lounge, and stands on the site of the city’s former Indoor Market which was closed and demolished in 2018.

Read more: Preston legend Nick Park says Animate will be ‘great centre’ to city as council reiterates confidence in project

Blog Preston also spoke to Market Hall traders who say they hope to see an upturn in footfall come through.

Aunty Dolly’s Cafe owner Arham Ifran said: “The council has not really given any leaflets to us advertising the opening of Animate.”

Members of the public outside Animate said they had “no idea it was open”, with one woman claiming she only realised it was up and running when she walked past it.

Sheridan’s Bags and Bags owner David Maudsley said: “The council has spent a lot of money on Animate so hopefully they get their advertising right.”

Business owners in Preston’s Market Hall say they have not yet witnessed increased footfall after Animate’s opening, but they hope it will pick up in time.

Livesey’s Butchers owner Adrian Livesey said: “People used to walk through the market, but now they walk past it.

“But in time to come we hope, people will see it and come in because there’s nowhere like Preston Markets.”

However, Prestonians who had been to the new complex were full of praise.

One woman said the Arc Cinema’s over-60s screening was great value for five pounds and that there are many opportunities to relax with friends in the hub. 

“They’ve got the new Feathers McGraw, which drew a lot of people here,” she added.

Blog Preston’s cinema expert Ben Gibbons – who writes our weekly guide to what’s on at cinemas across the city each Friday – said: “The Arc Cinema is really nice and really clean, the screens are massive, the quality of everything seems to be top-notch, and the staff are dead nice.”

A long-term investment and putting Preston in national spotlight

An Arc Cinema spokesperson said: “Preston is a growing city with a fantastic sense of identity and community. 

“We believe the Animate development will become a key cultural and leisure destination, and we’re proud to be part of that from the beginning. 

“It’s a long-term investment and we’re excited about the journey ahead.”

The entertainment venue said they are running many advertising and marketing campaigns to spread awareness about the Cinema and are trying to create “inclusive, tailored experiences for different groups in the community”.

“As more venues open their doors,” said Arc Cinema, “we’re confident the shared footfall will only grow.”

A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “Following a successful launch day where thousands of Prestonians gathered to see Nick Park unveil Feathers McGraw, Animate received record national media coverage, putting Preston in the spotlight.

“We continue to promote Animate as Preston’s newest leisure destination, working closely with tenants to create engaging content that attracts visitors and showcases everything it has to offer.

“Already a popular attraction, Animate has boosted footfall in the city, particularly around the new statue, Preston Markets, and the surrounding area, and it’s not even fully open yet.

“Last week, ASK Italian opened its doors, with more exciting additions to follow in the coming months, further enhancing Preston’s daytime and night-time economy.”

The city council did not directly address the traders comments or provide any figures regarding footfall, but did provide a link to a video produced on behalf of the city council where people had given their reactions to Animate opening in response to being asked ‘what do they love about Animate?’.

What’s left to open?

Following the opening of Ask Italian last week, the latest chain restaurant to open within the complex, there’s an independent food and drink hall – The Mad Giant – which is due to open during the summer moving back from a previous listing of an April opening.

While the Cosmo world buffet is due to open in June, having previously been listed as May.

Uncertainty continues over whether Las Iguanas will open, as reported by Blog Preston in February, and a ‘competitive socialising games unit’ remains to let within the complex.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Additional reporting by Ellie Browning