Hollywood Bowl signs on to Animate

Preston's proposed new cinema and leisure complex has agreed terms with its first tenant, Hollywood Bowl.

The attraction will anchor the £40m development, and bring 16 computerised bowling lanes, a bar, diner and other amusements.

The wider Animate development will also include a cinema, new restaurants and bars, a car park, and new public square. Further confirmed occupiers will be announced in the coming months.

This scheme will bring growth and development to the city centre as well as bringing in over £7m of extra economic activity every year while creating 140 full time equivalent jobs.

Coun Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: “Welcoming Hollywood Bowl on-board the Animate scheme is a really positive step forward in our plans to bring this exciting city-owned development to Preston for the whole community to benefit from.

"As well as bringing investment and jobs to the people of Preston, this key anchor operator will help support the regeneration of our city centre. This major family attraction is a first for the city centre and will complement our existing leisure offer. It will bring people into Preston and further support our strongly established small business community.”

Laurence Keen, chief financial officer of Hollywood Bowl Group, said: “We are pleased to have secured another prime, high footfall destination to enable us to continue to execute on our new centre opening strategy. We’re delighted to be bringing the Hollywood Bowl brand to Preston and to be a part of the exciting development of the Animate leisure complex.”

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