Food hall operator signed for Preston’s Animate

Northern Lights Group will operate a new food hall at Animate, the £45m entertainment and leisure complex in Preston, Lancashire. The hospitality provider has signed a 15-year lease for 10,140 sq ft to create and run a cocktail bar and four bespoke food kiosks to be let to small businesses. The scheme is being delivered by Maple Grove as the development partner of Preston City Council. Animate is already a home to Arc Cinema and Hollywood Bowl, alongside Loungers and several restaurant brands.  Joe Foster, managing director at Northern Lights, said: “As part of our growth strategy, we have been identifying new locations across the region, and Animate is the perfect fit. We look forward to opening our doors in early 2025.” Martyn Rawlinson, deputy leader of Preston City Council, said: “Our ambition for Animate has always been to provide independent operators to be part of this council-owned entertainment and leisure development and trade alongside national brands, which will help build a resilient and inclusive economy for all.” Andrew Dewhurst, development director at Maple Grove, added: “We are working towards a completion date this autumn. The tenants can then begin to fit out and furnish their units before Animate launches in early 2025.” Animate is one of six projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund £200m investment programme, which is set to transform the city’s historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering. Preston was awarded £20.9m from the government’s Towns Fund initiative in March 2021. Bradys and Smith Young are the joint lettings agents for Animate and advised Maple Grove. Photo © Eric Wright Construction