Cineworld to anchor Stoke shopping centre extension

CINEWORLD is to open a nine-screen cinema in the £2m extended Potteries shopping centre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

Work on the new complex at property group Intu’s scheme could start early next year with completion due mid-2015.

The 60,000 sq ft extension will also include five restaurants.

Jenny Lee, of Cineworld, said: “As we continue our UK expansion, positioning ourselves in key locations across the country is key.

“With its unique positioning in the Stoke-on-Trent market, intu Potteries provides us with the perfect opportunity to access an under-served market.”

Martin Breeden, asset management director for intu, said: “We have got a catchment of 1.1 million people which is hugely under-served in high quality leisure and catering destinations so we are really looking forward to getting this project on site and open.

“It will be great for intu Potteries and for the city of Stoke-on-Trent.”

Intu is currently in advanced negotiations on all the catering units and said it hoped to announce the restaurants at the scheme shortly.