Exciting new Burnley leisure scheme could generate £13m. a year to local economy

A major new leisure scheme for Burnley could generate £13m. each year and create 300 new jobs.
Pioneer PlacePioneer Place
Pioneer Place

The huge £26m. development at Curzon Street known as Pioneer Place would be one of the biggest to happen in the borough in years.

The development would involve the relocation of Reel Cinema from Manchester Road. A supermarket is expected to move to the existing cinema site.

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By relocating the cinema, the site will attract new restaurant and retail outlets. This approach to town centre development is replicated in many cities, with the increase in visitors supporting existing town centre businesses during the day and in the evening.

An assessment of the scheme has estimated that 300 jobs will be created, and £13m. will be added to the local economy each year. In addition to the cinema, the proposal includes seven new restaurant units and two new retail units, a high-quality public square and 128 car parking spaces.

Burnley Coun. Asif Raja, Executive member for economy and growth said: “Developments like this offer something for everyone. It will attract more visitors to the town which means more spend and a greater buzz about the place.

"If we don’t take actions like this to grow the local economy, we risk losing out to other places that do.”

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The council expects to receive a planning application in January, with the design of the scheme subject to approval by the planning committee.

The total cost of both the Pioneer Place development and the Manchester Road site is approximately £26 million. The council will receive an income from rents on the back of its capital investment in the scheme.

Lancashire County Council is also backing the scheme, committing £3.2m. towards it.

Coun. Mark Townsend, leader of the borough council, added: “I will encourage the council to take a considered view of what this investment means. We should make our investment at the point when the level of risk is right. That point comes when enough businesses commit.

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“That said, I am excited by the potential of this scheme and the long-term benefit to the borough. It will be a big draw to the town for both residents and visitors. Compared with other town centres, Burnley has bucked the trend. It is getting better while others are struggling.

"Town centres are the economic and social heart of communities- Burnley's town centre is on the up and I want to take it to the next level.”

Burnley Borough Council’s Executive Committee has recommended that the council invest in the scheme, and a final decision on whether to back it will take place at a meeting of the full council on December 19th.