Home Bargains eyes former Runcorn cinema
Following Cineworld’s departure from Trident Retail Park in 2023, the variety store is planning to move into the vacant unit after knocking down part of it to create a 34,000 sq ft shop.
Home Bargains owner TJ Morris has applied for planning permission to Halton Council to change the use of the Halton Lea cinema to a store to facilitate its relocation within the complex.
The discount retailer’s impending move across the Kennedy Wilson-owned retail park follows an extensive marketing campaign to secure an occupier that begin in 2020 when Cineworld announced its intention to vacate.
Other cinema operators, gyms, padel companies, storage firms, and retailers were approached by agents Jamieson Mills, Metis Real Estate, and latterly Smith Young with no joy.
According to a summary of the marketing activity carried out, the agents had agreed terms with The Range but the deal fell out of bed due to Covid.
Quod is advising TJ Morris on planning and Rappor is the transport consultant.
To learn more, search for reference number 26/00386/COU on Halton Council’s planning portal.
