The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Blockbuster booster as cinema plans approved
Aberdeen city centre’s Covid recovery received a blockbuster boost with the council approving plans for a new cinema to lure more people into town.
The Bon Accord Centre has suffered the loss of several big-name retailers since lockdown restrictions began to take their toll on profit margins.
Since last March the Disney store, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, River Island and Laura Ashley have all closed.
The most devastating blow of all came this summer with confirmation that John Lewis would not reopen.
In January, the shopping centre put forward plans to try to secure a brighter future by transforming the old Laura Ashley unit into a new cinema.
Council planners have now rubber-stamped plans for the four-screen cinema in the mall’s upper floor.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said the decision was “very welcome” at a time when serious effort is going into breathing new life into the centre.
He said: “There has been a real challenge to the high street, but to have these ambitious plans approved is certainly very much appreciated.”
He added that the Bon Accord Centre moving from purely retail to a wider mixed-use facility would help to attract more people to the city, encourage them to stay longer and then make use of other facilities in the area.
A courtyard area and entrance to the cinema and the shopping centre will be formed leading out to Drum’s Lane.
Mr Watson also hopes the “exciting” development will help entice new names to Aberdeen, following the recent announcement that toy store Hamleys will be opening at Union Square.
He said: “There has been a loss of some big names which has caused some pain, but we must keep looking and ask people what they want of their city centres and provide a wider offering.”
Bon Accord Centre manager Craig Stevenson said: “We are pleased to see our planning application for a cinema development at the centre move to the next stage.
“The cinema will be a fantastic part of our ongoing plan to repurpose vacant retail space and continue to deliver a retail and leisure destination in the heart of the city.”
Prior to approval, the plan received three objections, with one arguing the development would have an impact on nearby Belmont Filmhouse.
However, planners said the small cinema would be “unlikely to have a significant detrimental impact” on takings at the nearby independent venue.