City cinema expansion work gets under way
WORK has begun on the multi-million-pound expansion of Leicester’s Phoenix cinema and art centre.
With funding support and investment from Arts Council England of more than £5 million and more than £2 million from Leicester City Council, the development project, Phoenix 2020 is on the verge of becoming a reality.
The project will see the Cultural Quarter venue expand to become a four-screen cinema, complete with a new art gallery, a bigger and better cafe bar, a roof terrace and more spaces for making and learning.
Further pledges of support have been received from national funding organisations, including £135,000 from The Foyle Foundation, an independent grant-making trust.
The British Film Institute has provided funding support for the development, and the council has granted Phoenix use of the land through a long-term lease.
Having moved to the city’s Cultural Quarter from its previous home in 2009, Phoenix has developed a strong regional reputation as a hub for independent film and digital creativity, with a programme spanning film, art and education.
By expanding the venue, the Phoenix 2020 project aims to double participation in arts, cinema and creativity over five years, and intends to make a valuable contribution to the economy through increased visitor spending and enhanced support for local artists and creative businesses.
Construction began on September 13 and will last for 12 to 15
months, with the venue remaining open to the public for much of the build.
Phase one will see the creation of a dedicated digital learning suite, which will be opened in early 2022.
The new cinema screens, art gallery, cafe bar and roof terrace will be unveiled in early 2023.
Though work has started, Phoenix still has a remaining fund-raising target of £210,000 to support the fit-out and user experience aspects of the
project. So far, more than 200 individuals and small businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire have donated to the Phoenix 2020: Be Part of It campaign, but Phoenix is still seeking donations.
Ali Sinclair, chairman of Phoenix’s board of trustees, said: “I am very excited and somewhat relieved Phoenix 2020 is entering into the construction phase of the project.
“There are a lot of people to thank for getting us to this point, including
the team at Phoenix, our stake holders Leicester City Council, Arts Council England, the British Film Institute and our board of trustees.
“We are grateful to be welcoming our customers back after a long period of closure due to Covid-19, and to be able to share this positive news and have tangible evidence of Phoenix 2020 taking shape.”
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I am very pleased this project, which will enable it to expand and improve what it has to offer, can get under way.
“Like very many businesses, Phoenix’s trade has been hit hard over the past 18 months, and without this work taking place, the charity would find it harder to remain viable.”
I am very excited and relieved Phoenix 2020 is entering into the construction phase of the project
Ali Sinclair