Southampton: Demolition to start at Leisure World site

The Leisure World site, off West Quay Road, opened in 1997

Work to knock down a former cinema complex in Southampton is set to begin.

Leisure World and the derelict Quayside pub off West Quay Road is being cleared by Associated British Ports (ABP).

The complex, which closed in February 2022, is expected to be used for car parking by ABP once it has been cleared by the end of June.

ABP has applied to Southampton City Council to use the site for vehicle storage and parking for up to five years following the demolition work.

An artist's impression of the proposed Leisure World redevelopment off West Quay Road

The Grosvenor Casino on the site will continue to operate.

The city's port owners stepped in to clear the site after work to start the new development stalled.

The project included 650 homes, two 150-room hotels, a cinema and casino. Work was due to begin in early 2023.

Developer Sovereign Centros secured outline planning permission for the £250m scheme in 2021.

The freehold of the land is owned by Southampton City Council.

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