Storage facility to be built at former cinema site

The Odeon in Kettering closed its doors in January

An open storage facility is to be built on a site that used to house a multiplex cinema and restaurants.

North Northamptonshire Council agreed the plans to change the use of the Kettering Leisure Park, despite opposition from a town council.

Councillor Jonathon Smith, from Kettering Town Council, said: "We're on our way to becoming a dormitory with a bowling alley and not a great deal else."

Rockmount Kettering Ltd, the company behind the new scheme, said the new plans would "deliver a beneficial use of a vacant and soon-to-be-cleared site".

KFC is still operating on the Kettering Leisure Park

At a committee meeting on Wednesday, a planning officer told North Northamptonshire Council planning members the loss of the leisure site was regrettable, but it would be "unrealistic" to try and retain its current use as it was not commercially viable.

Most of the buildings on the site have been demolished, but KFC, which still stands, could be knocked down if the fast food chain decides to leave.

The development does not propose the erection of any further buildings on site, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Smith said: "Leisure in Kettering has declined dramatically over the past 30 years.

"At its height, we had a football stadium, KLV's ice rink, an adventure swimming pool, laser tag, a bingo hall, and a cinema.

"All of that is now gone."

Rockmount Kettering Ltd said the units on site were not viable, and the Hobson's Choice pub and cinema had made their own decision to shut.

"Some market analysis was done around how the cinema was struggling to perform in the current circumstances, and also the wider units which benefited in the main as spin-off trade from the cinema," the spokesperson said.