Work starts creating '˜state-of-the-art' cinema at retail park

What's happening?
Work has started on a facelift at Vue cinema at the Capitol CentreWork has started on a facelift at Vue cinema at the Capitol Centre
Work has started on a facelift at Vue cinema at the Capitol Centre

Work has started on giving a modern facelift to Vue Cinema at the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale.

In September last year an application was passed by South Ribble Council for a major upgrade inside and outside the building.

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The plan was for a “contemporary and striking” frontage, which includes an extension to form a new entrance, projecting 3.8m from the main front elevation for a width of 16.8m and a height of 12m.

It will be contemporary in design, with part of the existing colonnade walkway removed. The main element of the new facade will be a large square arch which is proposed to be constructed in black metal rainscreen cladding. There will also be new glazing, lettering and the main building wall will be overclad in a metal rain screen.

White LED lights will be inserted between black cladding lines, and orange LEDs will be within the grey cladding.

Major refurbishment work will also go on inside the building, but this has not been detailed.

Why is it happening?

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The work comes two years after the cinema complex was earmarked for demolition.

The site was spared the wrecking ball after a major retailer pulled out of a plan to open up on the Capitol Centre.

Opened in 1991, the cinema was described last year by its owners, Royal London, as “dated” and typical of multiplexes built 25 years ago.

“It has not been modernised since it was built,” said a report to the planning committee.

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“Vue are now committed to remaining at the Capitol Centre. Accordingly they wish to create a state of the art modern cinema.”

When will it happen?

Work began last month and is still underway, and though access to neighbouring restaurants is affected, they remain open.

Royal London and Vue were contacted, but were unavailable for comment.

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