John Lewis rumour over Capitol Centre

The Evening Post understands reports in other media outlets that the the retail giant is poised to build a new shop where Vue Cinema currently stands are inaccurate.

Last year Vue confirmed to Royal London – which owns the Capitol Centre – it would not be renewing the lease, and plans to demolish the building to make way for restaurants and new shops were approved.

Now it has been reported that John Lewis is close to agreeing a deal for the cinema site, anchoring the redevelopment of the retail park – which already has a Waitrose in operation.

John Lewis have long been linked with opening in Preston as they were due to be at the heart of the failed Tithebarn redevelopment.

Although a spokeswoman for the department store said: “we don’t comment on market speculation”, the Evening Post understands that there are no plans for it to open at the Capitol Centre.

Royal London declined to comment on the redevelopment or to give any timeframes for demolition work.

The plans passed by South Ribble Council are to demolish the seven-screen cinema and restaurant, replacing them with a 33,000 sqft new non-food retail unit.

Because Frankie & Benny’s want to stay at the site, a new restaurant pod, big enough for two units, would be built on the car park near to the existing McDonalds.

A third restaurant of 3,000 sqft is proposed to in-fill the gap between the new retail unit and Prezzo, the later to receive a new fascade.

A new security pod is also proposed in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour.

Read the original story from blogpreston.co.uk here