Lights, camera, action on £7m cinema plans

CONSTRUCTION work on a new £7m cinema and leisure complex at Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Huddersfield town centre is due to begin early next year.

Kingsgate owners WD (Kingsgate) Limited has confirmed ‘start on site’ plans to deliver the scheme after agreeing a 25-year lease with independent British cinema chain The Light.

It intends to transform the existing House of Fraser store to deliver two floors for leisure use, including a bowling alley with bars and restaurant units at ground level, while a new upper level will be dedicated to the six-screen cinema attraction.

In January the Examiner revealed that Kirklees Council had agreed to loan WD £7m towards the capital cost of the project.

Originally work was due to start on the scheme this summer and to be complete by the end of next year.

The news will come as welcome fillip for town centre bosses who have seen plans to develop the derelict former Huddersfield Technical College fail to materialise.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said: “How many years have we been waiting for this?!

“It has been seriously needed and I congratulate everyone at Kirklees Council and elsewhere who has made this happen. I am really delighted. Halleluja!”

Civil and structural engineering company JPG Group has reviewed plans for the site and assisted with feasibility and costings with a detailed design review.

Director David Allwood said: “We are pleased to secure this project on the back of our existing credentials in cinema feasibility.

“This type of installation requires a very bespoke assessment due to the acoustic and vibration isolation requirements and this is intrinsically linked to the overall design, materials specification and construction as well as the internal interface.”

Peter Everest of WD (Kingsgate) Limited added: “I am looking forward to working with JPG and the team led by Covell Matthews Architects to deliver a truly transformative development for the people of Huddersfield and the whole of Kirklees.”