CINEMA AND LEISURE PLAN GOES AHEAD

We remain committed to going ahead with plans to create new restaurants and the first multi-screen cinema in Skelmersdale at a new £4 million leisure complex at Concourse Shopping Centre – despite planning consent being granted for a similar scheme in the town.

Under our proposals, the 20,000 sq ft cinema, along with two food outlets, would be situated on the second floor of the shopping centre. On the first floor, a further four existing units would be converted to accommodate restaurants as part of the plans which have been approved by West Lancashire Borough Council. This is the first phase of the centre’s transformation.

The shopping centre, which houses more than 70 shops including well-known high street names, will also undergo improvements.

Jo Salmon, retail portfolio manager, which is delivering the project on behalf of joint venture partners Skelmersdale Limited Partnership and Threadneedle Investments, said the scheme offers an exciting opportunity for the town and will be delivered.

“We have to play a significant role in the on-going improvement of Skelmersdale for the benefit of the community and our commitment to improving the Concourse Centre hasn’t wavered one bit,” she said.

“Despite what one or two local politicians may have said in the media, I can confirm that we are fully committed to developing a new cinema and restaurants and - thanks to our very strong financial position - we are able to deliver on our promises and without delay.

“Although, it is very unhelpful and alarming that politicians believe that the St Modwen’s scheme will not detrimentally affect the Concourse. This has had an unsettling effect on our tenants as we advised the council it would and has compromised and delayed our advanced plans for the regeneration of the Concourse Centre. ”

She added: “Our development will provide a much-needed boost to the town centre in addition to ensuring the sustainability of the many businesses in the centre. We have secured Light Cinemas and are in advanced negotiations with several food and beverage operators.

“The current occupiers of the Concourse Shopping Centre have our full support and I can assure them that we will do everything we can to make sure they are have the trading conditions in which to thrive.”

Meanwhile, we are considering legal options following the granting of planning consent to St Modwen for a competing scheme in the town centre.

Jo said: “Skelmersdale Limited Partnership has owned the Concourse Centre for over 18 years. During that time it has always supported the council’s proposals to seek to regenerate the town centre. 

“However, it has always maintained that this should not be at the expense of the Concourse Centre, which forms an important and integral part of the town centre.

“The council and its retained retail consultants (PBA), in determining the St Modwen application, acknowledge the potential harm that would be caused to the Concourse Centre by the St Modwen proposals.

“The council’s retail consultant recognised the problems of attracting new retailers to the town centre and that the St Modwen scheme would simply take retailers from the Concourse Centre.

“This is exactly what could happen. St Modwen is promoting a scheme of which the retail offer includes Aldi, Home Bargain and Poundland. These retailers are not new to the town and currently occupy 20% of the Concourse’s existing retail space.

 “The council’s consultants, quite rightly acknowledge this would represent a severe blow to the centre particularly given the recent closures which have resulted in further vacant units.

“Accordingly, Skelmersdale Limited Partnership is extremely sceptical that the conditions imposed by the council on the planning permission would have the necessary desired effect.”