A new cinema and restaurant complex is beginning to take shape in the centre of Doncaster.
The venue’s structure is almost complete on land next to CAST in the town’s Civic and Cultural and Civic Quarter.
Bricklayers are expected on site later this month, with completion on target for spring next year.
Doncaster Council appointed Lindum to build the £8.5 million development, which will see the Nottingham-based operator Savoy open an impressive six screen cinema.
In addition there has been three offers from interested parties for the five restaurant units and discussions are ongoing with other local and national operators.
Lindum site manager Dan Coucom said work on site was progressing well.
“We are now in week four of the structure going up and we are expecting the scaffolders and bricklayers to begin work in the next few weeks,” he said.
“By mid-September, Lindum’s roofing division KGM will be on site to start loading the roof panels.
“So far the project has gone smoothly and we have had some really good feedback from the public. People seem to be really pleased to see this part of Doncaster, which had been vacant and a bit of a mess, being regenerated into something positive.”
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “It’s great to see the cinema and restaurant complex starting to take shape. It is far more than just the skyline in Waterdale being transformed as we deliver high quality facilities and attractions across our town centre which will be a big draw for residents and visitors.
“We are delivering our Urban Centre Masterplan which in turn is delivering jobs and growth for our borough. These are exciting times for Doncaster.”
Savoy Managing Director James Collington added: “The Cultural and Civic Quarter represents a fantastic location for our sixth cinema.
“We intend to deliver a state-of-the-art facility, which when combined with the new restaurants and the CAST theatre will be transformative for the town centre, providing a much needed leisure focus.”
The project has benefitted from £635,000 from the Sheffield City Region Local Growth Funding (LGF) and once complete will create more than 100 jobs and bring new business rate income into the borough.
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “It’s great to see that the Local Growth Funding (LGF), distributed through the Sheffield City Region, is transforming Doncaster town centre. By investing in projects such as the new cinema development we will create jobs, attract investment and drive economic growth for the region.
“Doncaster has set out an ambitious but deliverable masterplan, and I’m glad to be working with the Council to help drive that plan forward.”
The area around the Civic Square has been transformed into a destination area in recent years, with the £20 million investment in the Civic Office, £22 million investment in the CAST performance venue and the £14 million investment in the new central Library and Museum, currently being constructed.
By 2021 Government will have invested over £12 billion through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.
There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England, which are investing LGF money in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.
More information and the flythrough can be found at: www.doncaster.gov.uk/cinema
