New tenant for former Mad Giant food hall in Preston

The former Mad Giant food hall at Preston's Animate entertainment and leisure complex will be brought back to life following the agreement of a 10-year lease with Escapade Events.

Preston City Council has announced the 5,975 sqft Unit 6 at the £45m complex will reopen in December.

The previous operator, Mad Giant, closed its doors in September after less than a year in operation.

Escapade Events, led by Paul Heathcote and Gary Bates, says it will be adopting the unit’s commercial property name, UNIT 6, for its warehouse-style food hall, bringing together six independent vendors. The business is known locally for running the bar at Chews Yard.

Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, cabinet member for resources, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Escapade Events to Animate and to see a business with a connection to Preston expanding its presence in the city.

"The team’s experience at Chew’s Yard, together with the partnership with Heathcote&Co, brings a strong combination of local knowledge and decades of top-class hospitality experience.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the plans come to life at Animate to create new memorable experiences at the unit.”

Speaking on behalf of Escapade Events, Alex Leigh, director, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be opening UNIT 6 at Animate and creating something special in the heart of Preston.

"Our vision for UNIT 6 is to bring people together over food and drink. Lancashire and Preston in particular boasts an impressive industrial heritage, a rich diversity and an independent soul like no other, we can’t wait to celebrate that through our food and drink culture.

“There will be award winning chefs, exciting independent operators cooking up high-quality food and a first-class drink experience without the formalities. UNIT 6 will be a warm vibrant hub where anyone is welcome. Morning, afternoon, evening and night. Six days a week.”

Award winning chef and restaurateur Paul Heathcote said: "It’s great to be involved in Preston’s new landmark development by supporting Alex and Kane at Escapade who will be managing the new casual food and drink hall.

"Heathcote&Co will be bringing some exciting food partners with celebrated chefs and great drink to UNIT 6 at Animate. Our guests to the hall can expect carafes of wines, Prosecco on tap, frozen steins and freshly tanked beer." 

Bradys and Smith Young commercial property agents and SPB solicitors acted on behalf of Preston City Council and Forbes Solicitors acted on behalf of Escapade Cocktail Events.

One remaining unit of 10,140 sqft remains available to let at the Animate complex. It is being marketed as a competitive socialising unit. Located on the upper level of Animate, the space has a ceiling height of more than seven metres, floor-to-ceiling glazing with views over the city skyline and window frontage overlooking the restaurant terrace and Market Hall. The unit also benefits from stair and dedicated lift access.