Preston's flagship cinema and restaurant scheme a step closer

Following the demolition of the old Market Hall car park, clearance work has now been finished.

It comes ahead of a planning submission in the spring of 2020 which, if successful, would see the expansion of the flagship scheme to include a 16-lane bowling alley.

Andrew Dewhurst, director at Maple Grove Developments, said: “With the site now cleared we are focused on submitting the revised application in the spring.

“The inclusion of bowling will add another dimension to the retail and leisure offer and will be a superb addition to Preston city centre.

“We have had a lot of interest in the scheme from a wide variety of leisure operators and it is great to see the first phase of remediation work now complete. “

The 160,000 sq ft scheme will include an eight-screen cinema, restaurants and a new multi-storey car park. Work is anticipated to begin early in 2021.

Coun Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council (PCC), said: “This cutting-edge and integrated leisure development will reinforce the Harris Quarter as a premier cultural and leisure destination in Lancashire and will help our City Centre to thrive as well as promoting an inclusive economy with the development in the ownership of the city when complete.”

Designed by Leach Rhodes Walker, the development will be formally launched with a new identity once planning permission has been secured.

PCC is working in partnership with Maple Grove and Muse Developments to bring the project forward.

CBRE and Brady Chartered Surveyors are advising on the scheme.