2,000-seat cinema launched at Thorpe Park

DEVELOPERS Scarborough Group International have been given the green light for a multi-screen, 2000-seat cinema at Thorpe Park in Leeds.

The cinema, which will be 50,000 sq ft, is part of a 300,000 sq ft shopping and leisure complex at the east Leeds business park.

Site owners Thorpe Park Developments; a 50:50 joint venture between Scarborough Group International and Legal & General Capital, are progressing with construction which started in 2015.

Contractors GMI Construction are underway with the shopping and leisure development, which is costing £162m. With millions of square footage set to be used for office accommodation, the total bill for the site is upwards of £400m.

Part of the Thorpe Park Leeds site is also allocated for 300 new homes and a public park with sports facilities.

The total development is expected to create over 13,000 jobs, including nearly 4000 local employment opportunities for the Leeds city region.

Mark Jackson of Scarborough Group International, said: “We are delighted to secure planning permission for the cinema which is an important part of the mix of shopping and leisure uses at Thorpe Park Leeds, serving the growing business and residential community.

“We are already in discussion with cinema operators which have expressed an interest in the project.”