A vision of the future for Preston's markets quarter

New CGIs of how the new cinema and markets quarter in Preston could look

The Lancashire Evening Post has been given a sneak-preview of the images, ahead of the consultation event.

Bringing £50m of new investment into the city centre, the plans for the area comprise a new 11-screen cinema with a large format experience screen, seven family restaurant units and a new multi-storey car park of 593 spaces.

A timeline has revealed the new cinema, restaurants and car park are hoped to be open in 2020, with a new market hall expected to be built and opened next year.

The project forms part of the wider regeneration of the Markets Quarter, including the full refurbishment of the canopies and the construction of a new glazed market hall.

The consultation event, which is open to the public, is to be held in St George’s Shopping Centre in the upper mall on Saturday and Monday, from 11am to 3pm.

Representatives from Preston Council, Muse Developments and the Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) will be available to introduce the scheme and answer any questions on the subject of the proposed Markets Quarter scheme.

Developers Muse have confirmed The Light cinema chain will operate the proposed cinema, which will feature digital picture and sound auditoriums and VIP luxury seating.

It will feature the latest in blockbusters, independent and international films, plus live opera, ballet, theatre and pop concerts will be beamed in.