Sanderson Weatherall appointed to manage Preston's £45m+ Animate leisure complex

Commercial property agents Sanderson Weatherall have been appointed as estate manager of the Preston City Council-owned flagship £45m+ Animate leisure scheme.

Animate was delivered by Maple Grove Developments (MGD), part of Preston-based contractor Eric Wright Group, on behalf of Preston City Council.

The official handover to Sanderson Weatherall by MGD marks the practical completion of Animate, one of six major projects planned under Preston's Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme.

Work started on site in January 2023, and the construction phase was completed on time and within budget.

The leisure complex is being built on the former indoor market and car park site and due to open to the public in early Spring 2025.

Following the handover, Sanderson Weatherall will now be responsible for providing day-to-day property and facilities management services.

Sanderson Weatherall has committed to ensuring that all 18-plus site staff employed at Animate will be paid the 2024 UK Real Living Wage (RLW) of £12.60 an hour from April 2025.

Cleaning and security contracts will be locally sourced and all other maintenance and mechanical and electrical contracts will be sourced locally wherever possible.

Preston was awarded £20.9m from the Government's national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021, and the Harris Quarter is a unique part of the city centre undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering.

Almost fully pre-let, Animate will feature an eight-screen cinema, 16-lane bowling alley with gaming zone, five family restaurant units, a food hall, public realm, a socialising unit and 164-space basement car park, with national leisure brands including Hollywood Bowl, ARC Cinemas, Zizzi, Cosmo, Las Iguanas, Mad Giant Food Hall and Loungers signed up as tenants.

A sole unit of 10,270 sq. ft remains available for an occupier to provide a suitable leisure, entertainment or social use and can be split into two units subject to tenant requirements. 

Matthew Lawrence, partner in property management team at Sanderson Weatherall, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Preston City Council to support them with this exciting development which we believe will be a great asset to the City.

“This prestigious instruction enhances our active instructions in the North West and allows us to increase social value awareness as we look to employ local personnel in the scheme to create further jobs in the area. We are excited to see the property in full operation over the coming months.”

Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building on Preston City Council, said: "Animate is the flagship project of the Harris Quarter regeneration programme, heralding a new era for Preston and its residents.

"Owned by the city council to benefit local people, the construction of Animate has involved local contractors and enhanced the skills and learning of young people with essential on-the-job experience.

 “Crucially, such development and regeneration forms a key part of the Council's commitment to Community Wealth Building, designed to create a resilient and inclusive economy to benefit the whole area by offering an opportunity for local people to take back control while working with local institutions.”

John Chesworth, chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board, said: "The appointment of Sanderson Weatherall represents another key stage in the delivery of Animate, part of the wider and ongoing renaissance of Preston as we progress our ambitious plans to create places for people. 

 “Having secured high-profile and established national leisure brands, Animate will provide an unrivalled offering of leisure activities to drive footfall and generate wider economic benefits for the people of Preston and surrounding areas.

"The uptake of space within Animate demonstrates the strong demand for quality buildings in Preston and sends a positive message to investors and developers that the city is open for business.”

 Andrew Dewhurst, director at Maple Grove Developments added: “This is an important milestone for Animate. The building is completed and ready to hand over to the landlord, Preston City Council.

"The next stage involves the various tenants completing their own internal fitting out works before they can open their doors to the public.”