Work commences on £8.5m cinema and restaurant complex
Work has now commenced on a £8.5m cinema and restaurant complex in Doncaster.
The new development is situated adjacent to the Cast performance venue in the Cultural and Civic Quarter.
Once complete, the complex will create more than 100 jobs and bring more than £530,000 of new business rates into the borough.
The area around the Civic Square has been redeveloped in recent years, with the £20m investment in the Civic Office, £22m investment in the CAST performance venue and the £14m investment in the new central Library and Museum, currently being constructed.
Lindum Construction has been appointed to build the complex, with the cinema set to be operated by Savoy.
The first set of works by Lindum will be setting up the site, undertaking technical surveys and carrying out some site clearance and groundworks before the main construction commences in May.
Councillor Bill Mordue, cabinet member for business, skills and economic development, said: “I am delighted to finally see work starting on the cinema and restaurant development which will further enhance this location, giving a wider choice of leisure activities and places to eat and bringing more visitors to Doncaster town centre.
“This project joins others at an exciting time in our Urban Centre Masterplan including the redevelopment of the train station, the Quality Streets work on Hallgate, our new Library and Museum which is in construction down the road and the newly renovated Wool Market which has just opened its doors.”
The project, which also received £635,000 from the Sheffield City Region Local Growth Funding (LGF), will open in spring 2020.
Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Sheffield City Region, added: “It’s great to see that work has started on the long-awaited cinema and restaurant complex, which is an important piece in the jigsaw of Doncaster’s Cultural and Civic Quarter.
“The Local Growth Fund has been used to transform a number of projects in the town centre, including the railway station and the newly-opened Wool Market. This fund is transformational for our towns and cities, driving real change for our communities.”
Simon gregory, managing director of Lindum Construction, also said: “This project signals the start of a new relationship between Lindum and Doncaster Council – one that has begun very well and will hopefully continue to get stronger as the teams work together.
“It is exciting to see a council which has so much ambition and such a strong vision for the Doncaster region and we look forward to being part of that journey as it goes forward.
“We will be aiming to use appropriate local companies during construction, which will be an additional boost to the local economy.”
