Application imminent for rejigged Preston Markets
Clearance work on the site of a proposed leisure scheme in Preston’s Harris Quarter, which is being brought forward by Maple Grove and Muse, has completed with a revised planning application expected in spring.
Muse first won planning consent for the redevelopment of the indoor market in 2016; designed by Frank Whittle Partnership, Benoy, and Greig & Stephenson, the project was to include an 11-screen cinema operated by The Light, seven family restaurants, a 593-space multi-storey car park, and public realm improvements.
Maple Grove was appointed to work alongside Muse in August last year.
The developers are working in partnership with Preston City Council to bring forward the 160,000 sq ft scheme, designed by Leach Rhodes Walker, which will include an eight-screen cinema, a 16-lane bowling alley, restaurants and a new multi storey car park.
The bowling alley is a new addition to the scheme. Work is anticipated to start on site early 2021.
Speaking at a recent Place North West event, Andrew Dewhurst, director at Maple Grove Developments, expressed a desire to add a “competitive social” element to the project.
He said: “The leisure market is dynamic and fast moving, its tough. We always try to be ahead of the curve.”
He added: “With the site now cleared we are focused on submitting the revised application in the spring. The inclusion of bowling will add another dimension to the retail and leisure offer and will be a superb addition to Preston city centre. We have had a lot of interest in the scheme from a wide variety of leisure operators and it is great to see the first phase of remediation work now complete.”
Cllr Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: “This leisure development will reinforce the Harris Quarter as a premier cultural and leisure destination in Lancashire and will help our city centre to thrive as well as promoting an inclusive economy with the development in the ownership of the city when complete.”
CBRE and Brady Chartered Surveyors are advising on the scheme.
Bowling alley capitol centre now closed it might be a bit of a gamble
By Ross
This will be a great addition to the City centre
By Motbergoose
Nothing related to the title here
By Tim Bain
There’s already a bowling alley in the Guild do we really need another one?
By Sue Roney
Bad ground mother careis hollow underneath its built on sand unless what ever his built there his going to stink just like the old market .unless they go down very deep with pales I know I worked repairing the drain In that Area.
By Bob the dog
The new market is open and drafty and expensive. Women do most of the shopping and now avoid Preston to take a short bus ride to the superb market in Blackburn instead.
By Abu bakar
How about rebuilding a decent market instead of the carbuncle and shipping container graveyard Preston clowncil expect us to accept? How they got away with that one is beyond my comprehension.
By Ken Heskin
Great to see life so desperately needed feed back into city centres such as Preston
By Anonymous
New market looking great and better now it’s being made less draughty with the false ceilings and new door.
Needs an IMAX style cinema screen here, bowling alley good addition too.
By Katie
Brew Bake in the new covered market is very good. Looking forward to seeing the leisure section of these plans. Glad Lancastria House has been kept too
By SW