Reel Cinemas to open in Skelmersdale

Independent cinema operator Reel has signed a 15-year lease to be the anchor leisure tenant at St Modwen’s £10m Skelmersdale town centre regeneration project.

The deal with Reel is part of developer St Modwen’s plans to deliver a mixed-use scheme incorporating around 100,000 sq ft of space.

This will include 50,000 sq ft of retail to widen the scope of choice in the centre, as well as 50,000 sq ft of leisure including the six-screen cinema, restaurants and bars to introduce a new night time leisure opportunity and economy to the town.

St. Modwen has been working in partnership with the Homes & Communities Agency and West Lancashire Council since 2007 for the delivery of a regeneration scheme in Skelmersdale town centre. Plans were initially for a 500,000 sq ft scheme on 250-acre site, but proposals were shelved and downsized following the recession.

The scheme is on the land between the new college and the existing town centre, which is currently undeveloped.

There will be improvements to the public realm as part of the project, including a new high street between the college and the existing town centre and public art, as well as enhancements to the public areas outside the library and Nye Bevan Leisure Centre.