The first phase of a £21m project which will see a seven-screen cinema and leisure and retail space created in Burnley town centre has been approved.
Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, has been granted planning consent for the initial phase at the Pioneer Place scheme.
Burnley Council has approved the plans for the cinema and 12,750 sq ft of leisure and retail floorspace across five units, centred around a new public realm and a refurbished Curzon Street car park.
The scheme is being designed by AEW Architects with Smith Love acting as planning consultant and is being supported with grant funding from Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.
Nik Puttnam, senior development manager at Maple Grove Developments, added: "We are hugely encouraged by the decision to grant planning for this phase of the scheme which will provide a new day and evening leisure offering in the town centre.
"The importance of a vibrant town centre can’t be underestimated as we emerge from the Covid pandemic.
"With planning now secured we are looking to appoint Eric Wright Construction over the next couple of months and start on site this summer and Pioneer Place opening in spring 2023.
"We have interest in the restaurant units from regional and national operators and from independents, which are attracted to having a presence in this growing university town."
The public/private partnership with Burnley Council is expected to deliver 120 new jobs, 180 construction roles and £1.35m GVA to the local economy.
Kate Ingram, the council’s strategic head of economy and growth, added: "This is a significant milestone in bringing forward this key project in our town centre masterplan.
"All the project partners have worked hard over the last year to bring forward a scheme that reflects the current market but delivers a well-designed town centre cinema and leisure development, with scope for future expansion. Maple Grove are working towards a start on site this summer."
