St. Modwen has been officially selected by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council as the development partner for the Kirkby Town Centre leisure scheme.
The proposed leisure scheme will replace the former library on Newtown Gardens and will include a 15,000 sq ft six-screen cinema and three new restaurants and bars.
Earlier this year, the regeneration specialist announced that Reel Cinemas will anchor the leisure scheme. Operating 15 units nationally, Reel Cinemas is one of the largest independent cinema operators in the UK.
Paul Batho, Projects Director for St. Modwen, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the development contract for the leisure scheme and look forward to working with the Council to bring forward a cinema, restaurants and bars that will complement our existing work to redevelop the town centre.
“The leisure scheme will provide the much-needed leisure facilities people in Kirkby have been looking forward to for a number of years.”
Knowsley Council’s Regeneration and Economic Development Cabinet Member, Councillor Graham Morgan, said: “This is another important step forward in our ambitions to transform Kirkby town centre with high quality leisure and retail developments.
“St. Modwen’s proposals will help to revitalise the town centre through a vibrant evening economy, creating hundreds of job opportunities for local people and significantly boosting Knowsley’s economy.”
A planning application is due to be submitted for the leisure scheme once occupiers for the leisure units have been identified, with construction work planned for 2018.
St. Modwen has also submitted a planning application to Knowsley Council for the retail phase of the redevelopment of the town centre, which is due to be heard by the Council’s Planning Committee in early November.
More than 250 members of the public called into an information event in St. Chad’s Parade on Friday 20 October to meet St. Modwen and get an update on the plans for the retail phase of the development.
The planning application includes a Morrisons supermarket, new shops, improved pedestrian links, car parking, new public realm and landscaping. The redevelopment will complement, enhance and integrate with the existing town centre shops and facilities. Demolition of part of the town centre is already in progress in order to make way for the new developments.
The leisure units are currently being marketed by joint retail agents Colliers and Cheetham & Mortimer.
