Preston moves forward with £50m Market Quarter

The Light has been confirmed as the operator of an 11-screen cinema within Preston’s Market Quarter, which forms the basis of plans due to go out to public consultation next week.

Delivered by the city council and Muse Developments, the proposals outline the cinema with a large format experience screen, seven family restaurant units and a new replacement multi-storey car park with 593 spaces.

The scheme forms part of the wider regeneration of the Markets Quarter which includes the full refurbishment and redecoration of the two listed Market canopies and the construction of a new glazed Market Hall under the larger of the two canopies, to accommodate market traders relocated from the existing indoor market.

The consultation event, which is open to the public, is to be held at St. George’s Shopping Centre in the Upper Mall on  Saturday 9 April from 11am to 3pm, and Monday 11 April from 11am to 3pm.

Frank Whittle Partnership, working alongside Greig & Stephenson, is the lead architect for the markets element of the scheme, restoring the current structures and creating a new marketplace.

For the cinema element of the scheme, the lead architect is Benoy, working with developer Muse.

Mike Horner, regional director for Muse Developments, said: “We are working extremely hard to deliver a high quality scheme which is long overdue for Preston city centre. The proposals are truly spectacular and will include views out across the city centre and beyond.

“The Light are making a name for themselves in new cinema experiences and they are a great fit for Preston as they do not solely show mainstream cinema releases but also a wide range of other arts, culture, sporting and educational productions – it is not ‘more of the same’ in terms of cinema provision but a destination that will truly excite local residents and get people back into the city centre.”