Telford town centre to get new multiplex cinema

The town centre will include a new multiplex cinema and restaurant complex

An 11-screen multiplex cinema will be built in Telford town centre after a deal was agreed by developers.

Telford & Wrekin Council and developer Citygrove Securities PLC said Cineworld would build a cinema on the new Southwater Square development.

The town currently has a 10-screen Odeon cinema in Forgegate.

Developers said the cinema was the first in what was expected to be a series of announcements of major leisure operators taking up sites.

Earlier this summer, Telford & Wrekin Council appointed Citygrove as its preferred developer for the £250m planned mixed use leisure scheme in Southwater.

The development also includes an 80-bedroom hotel and seven bars and restaurants.

Telford & Wrekin Council and Citygrove will be submitting a joint planning application for the cinema, hotel, bars, restaurants and a 600-space multi-storey car park towards the end of the year.

'Vibrant and dynamic'

Construction is expected to start in summer 2012.

Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and economic development, said despite the recession the council had confidence in the development.

He said: "The Southwater development has already generated significant interest from the commercial sector and the news about Cineworld is just the first of what will be a number of announcements in relation to the leisure complex.

"These companies want to invest in Telford because we have a growing, vibrant and dynamic town with big plans to bring together the conference centre, shopping centre and the fantastic Telford Town Park through the Southwater development.

"We are confident that it will be a big success to ensure the future viability of the town centre."

The Southwater development is a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, in conjunction with private sector partners including Southwater Event Group.