Preston City Council has given the green light to its development partner Maple Grove and contractor Eric Wright to kick off the delivery of Animate, a £40m leisure and entertainment complex in Preston.
The scheme, funded by the city council with support from the Towns Fund and the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal, received full sign-off at a council meeting on 20 October.
Located within the Harris Quarter, the project will see the construction of an eight-screen cinema to be operated by Arc, a bowling alley to be operated by Hollywood Bowl, various food and beverage offerings and new city-centre parking. The scheme also features improvements to the surrounding public realm, including new landscaping, trees and street lighting.
Preparation for work on site will start over the next month, with a start on site expected in early 2023.
David Borrow, executive member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, said: “It is crucial that we continue to lead and support wider development and investment that underpins our long-term vision for the future, such as our City Living Strategy and the Station Quarter Project, which will position Preston as the economic and commercial centre of Lancashire.”
Bradys and CBRE are the joint letting agents for Animate.
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