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

By Rob Kelly

01 Nov 2024

The handover for the 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.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Fuuse raises further £6m as it heads to profitability COO Nik Southworth, CEO Michael Gibson, CFO Sonia Davies.

Fuuse raises further £6m as it heads to profitability

13 Oct 2025

2

Preferred developer named for strategic site Barnfield named as preferred developer for site

Preferred developer named for strategic site

13 Oct 2025

3

Warden completes hospital improvement work Warden Hospital

Warden completes hospital improvement work

13 Oct 2025

4

New planning rules for HMOs Chorley town hall

New planning rules for HMOs

13 Oct 2025

5

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin