View artist impressions of how things could look after councillors agree on £4million funding for three-screen cinema and food court for Sleaford

The council has already committed £1.5 million to a cinema project on land behind buildings currently being renovated on the Market Place as part of the Heart of Sleaford project, but in a decision taken behind closed doors last night (Thursday) due to financial sensitivities, the authority agreed to allocate an additional £2.5 million to press ahead with the regeneration scheme.This will bring forward a long-held aspiration for a cinema and also deliver a food court, public open space and a footbridge over the River Slea connecting Money’s Yard to the Market Place and improving circulation of shoppers.Following the unanimously supported investment decision by Full Council last night, work will proceed on the design concepts and in processing a planning application for submission as soon as possible. Ultimately the build contract will be managed by the landowner.A selection process will take place to find a cinema operator. No opening date has yet been scheduled.Leader of the Council, Coun Richard Wright, said the new building would be sited on unoccupied land, behind shops on Bristol Arcade and the complex of buildings alongside the Library, where recent work to enhance the historic frontages has just been completed.“Local people continue to tell us that they want a modern multi-screen cinema and this proposal will deliver that as a central part of a major economic boost to Sleaford town centre. Providing a cinema is a bold expression by the District Council in support of a modern, multi-use town which meets the needs of a growing and changing town,” said CounWright.

“This is much more than a financial investment; it is a game-changer for Sleaford and a massive investment for the whole district. It is the fulfilment of a long-term aspiration for this council and the people of the area and a commitment to the future vibrancy of our market town.”

Recently cinema projects have been given the go ahead in other Lincolnshire towns including Gainsborough and Grantham.Across three screens, the new cinema will have a seating capacity of 300 which means it will be commercially viable and capable of hosting the latest cinema releases, according to the council.As part of the design concept, the cinema construction will incorporate and regenerate the currently vacant and derelict historic vaulted Buttermarket, whose cellars lay behind the former Corn Exchange which fronted the Market Place. It will become a landmark building and contribute towards a visual focal point for central Sleaford, say planners.“Another great plus for this scheme is that the new pedestrian bridge over the River Slea will help to regenerate this hidden part of historic Sleaford. We are also planning to invest in quality hard and soft landscaping to compliment the setting of the new cinema and food court. There will also be a public art feature to give a focal point and draw the eye of visitors from Market Place and Money’s Yard,” said Coun Wright.Funding towards an earlier scheme for a two-screen cinema was approved in April 2018, but it has now become clear that three screens are needed for the project to be economically viable and sees the authority pumping in a major investment to boost the town's fortunes at a time when local councils are all complaining of increasing constricted funding for their budgets and services.“With the imminent opening of a five-screen cinema in Grantham and plans to increase the Kinema at Woodhall Spa to three screens, this underlines the need for three screens in Sleaford to enhance the town’s vibrancy and appeal. This development will be great for the evening and night time economy as it will draw lots of people into the town,” said Coun Wright.Members from across the district spoke enthusiastically in support of the difference it would make, with Sleaford member Coun David Suiter saying: “It will bring people to Sleaford and additional business to the town’s traders” while Coun Robert Oates said he knew townsfolk would ‘very much look forward to the additional facility’ and the uplift it would bring the town.’Although Coun Ian Carrington represents an area almost 20 miles away, he said what was good for Sleaford was good for the entirety of North Kesteven, promoting a vibrant and active economy and cultural scene.It is estimated that the local spend on cinema tickets could be £750,000 a year which would generate an extra £1.5 million in spending on other goods and services in the town without including food and drink.Robert Hodgson, a director of the landowning company, said: “North Kesteven District Council has been incredibly proactive and positive in its vison to bring this scheme forward in order to meet a long-held aspiration of the town and restore some of the town’s historical legacy whilst opening it up for a new generation to enjoy and benefit from. It’s a very exciting proposal.”