Food market plan to transform cinema Team behind successful food markets set sights on town
THE town’s oldest cinema could soon be transformed into a bustling hub for food and drink.
Plans submitted to Cheshire East would see Macclesfield’s Picturedrome, which first opened its doors more than 100 years ago, the transformed into a trendy food hall.
Market Operations, responsible for renovating Mackie Mayor, in Manchester, and Altrincham Market House, hope to give the former cinema a bright future.
Under the ambitious proposals it would house eight independent kitchens and bars, as well as a communal food hall for 180 people, as well as a projector screen will be set up at the back of the hall to show films.
Outside, the car park at the junction with Catherine Street would be turned into an eating area, with three more kitchens and room for 80 more diners.
These would be linked by a ‘two-way’ craft beer and wine bar.
According to the Design and Access statement the revamped Picturedrome will bring 60 full time and 80 part-time jobs.
Nick Johnson, head of Market Operations told the Express he thinks the scheme could be a catalyst for the town.
He said: “It’s a fantastic town, it’s a ‘proper’ place, it has real sense of community and it’s undervalued and under performing at the moment.
“We see the potential of our proposals for The Picturedrome to not only deliver a great new place attractive to a wide range of people but it will also be a catalyst for transformational change in the way our projects have been in Altrincham and on the edge of the Northern Quarter.
“It also happens to be in a fabulous building that we will sensitively restore and return once again back into public use.
“With our emphasis on independents and regional produce, we think it’s a win-win all round. Based on the figures at Altrincham and Mackie Mayor, this proposal for the reopening of The Picturedrome will include approximately 60 full time and 80 part-time jobs and begin a regeneration process of Macclesfield’s fringes which will subsequently generate further positions across the area.”
The Picturedrome on Chestergate is the oldest cinema in the town and first opened its doors on October 21, 1911.
Since then it has been used as a bingo hall and most recently an office block.
Mike Rance, chair of community business group, Make it Macclesfield, told the Express he is fully behind the plans.
He said: “It is fantastic, that is my initial response. I have often though that the Picturedrome deserved a higher profile in the town. The idea of restoring it to its former glory is the exactly the sort of development the town needs in order to stimulate the night time economy.
“It is exactly in line with what we feel needs to be done.”