Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter cinema scheme makes major development

Muse Development’s cinema and restaurant scheme in Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ) has taken a significant step forward with the recent approval of a Reserved Matters planning application for the 18,000 sq ft, 984-seat cinema and 17,000 sq ft of family restaurants.

In addition, the scheme has also seen progression in the exchange of contracts with Savoy Cinemas for the delivery of the state-of-the-art six screen cinema, demonstrating Savoy’s commitment to this new leisure destination in Doncaster town centre.

Doncaster Council and urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, worked in partnership to deliver the first phase of the scheme, which was completed in 2013. This comprises a 157,000 sq ft civic office, ‘Cast’ – the new performance venue, new public square, housing and a refurbished 850-space multi-storey car park.

The bespoke-designed cinema will complement the Cast theatre and together with the new restaurants will provide a new leisure development for the third side of Sir Nigel Gresley Square. The development is expected to create around 100 new jobs in the town centre.

Simon Dew, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said: “The commitment of Savoy Cinemas to Doncaster Civic and Cultural Quarter and the recent confirmation of planning consent is collectively a major milestone for our plans to deliver a high quality family leisure destination, which will boost footfall and bring wider benefits to the whole town centre.

“We are in active discussions with a number of well-known family restaurant operators that are keen to be part of this exciting development and look forward to making further announcements in the near future.”

James Collington, managing director of Savoy Cinemas, commented: “We are delighted that all parts of the development have now fallen into place and that we can now confidently move forwards with our next venue. This will feature the very best facilities available for 21st century cinema and be a fantastic addition to Doncaster town centre.”

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, also said: “This is fantastic news and shows the growing confidence of investors in Doncaster. A new cinema and restaurants in the Waterdale area will help continue the regeneration of Doncaster and enhance the range of cultural and leisure attractions available in this part of the town centre.

“My top priority is creating jobs and growth right across the borough. We have a number of major regeneration schemes taking place such as FARRRS and the National College for High Speed Rail.”

Letting Agent Nick Ferris of Jones Lang LaSalle, concluded: “The commitment of Savoy Cinemas in taking six screens at the Civic & Cultural Quarter demonstrates the quality of this award winning mixed use scheme and follows the delivery of the stunning Cast Theatre and Civic Offices. The cinema, along with the proposed restaurants, will cement this location as the key leisure pitch in the town.”

The development is programmed to start on site in Spring 2016 and be completed by early 2017.