Altrincham advances Everyman deal

Premium cinema group Everyman is working up plans ahead of lodging an application with Trafford Council for a four-screen cinema at 74-84 George Street in Altrincham, which formerly housed JJB Sports.

In a positive trading update last week, Everyman confirmed that its recent acquisitive streak shows no signs of slowing. The company, which last year signed on as leisure anchor in the redevelopment of Liverpool’s Metquarter with an 18,000 sq ft deal, now operates from 22 venues.

Everyman, which prides itself on picturehouses with an independent, boutique feel, opened in York and Kings Cross in the last two months of 2017 and expects to open five further locations this year, including Liverpool in autumn.

Capturing the operator is a coup for Altrincham, which continues to enjoy an upswing led by its 2014 market hall redevelopment – Everyman is under-represented regionally, with Harrogate and Leeds its only northern facilities prior to the York opening.

The project at George Street, the pedestrianised street at the heart if Altrincham’s retail area, is being undertaken by Merepark on behalf of sister company Altrincham Regeneration, and will also feature two further retail and leisure units available to let, of 4,000 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft respectively. The 10,000 sq ft cinema will be accessed from both George Street and the Lower Market.

Crispin Lilly, chief executive of the group, said: “We’re so excited to create something special in Altrincham. Our focus is really on experience, from a fabulous bar and food and drink menu, to comfy sofa seating and a great programme of film and events.

“We aim to make every guest’s visit special no matter what they choose to watch, and make them fall in love with a night at the cinema.”

David Hopps, executive member for housing and strategic planning at Trafford Council, said: “We’re excited to be welcoming Everyman to Trafford. They promise to offer an experience that is very different and will hopefully appeal to regular moviegoers, as well as people who don’t normally visit the cinema.”