Hat-trick of deals unlocks Houndshill extension
Contracts to secure a nine-screen cinema and new home for Wilko as part of the planned extension of the Blackpool shopping centre have been inked, while the council finalised a land acquisition to bring forward the project.
The deals pave the way for construction to start in March, after the council received £5m towards the £20m scheme from the Government’s shovel-ready projects fund last August.
The council bought Houndshill Shopping Centre for £47.6m in 2019. The planned extension will feature a 22,000 sq ft store to be occupied by Wilko after its former home opposite Blackpool North train station was demolished to make way for a four-star Holiday Inn and Marco Pierre White restaurant as part of the ongoing Talbot Gateway regeneration.
Hardware and household retailer Wilko has signed a 15-year lease on the Houndshill unit. Meanwhile, cinema operator MMC Cinemas has signed a 25-year lease to operate a nine-screen IMAX cinema that will also include a multimedia centre…..
