A NEW leisure development including a multi-screen cinema could soon be built in the town centre.

St Helens Council's Planning Committee has approved the scheme, which also includes a family entertainment centre and a public house, on the former Windle Pilkington School site on Linkway West.

The long-awaited cinema will have 11 screens and be contained in a building that will have a curved and predominantly glazed elevation on the Linkway reflecting the shape of the former Pilkington Head Offices, the listed Rowse Building, nearby.

Committee chairman, Councillor Terry Hanley commented: "The town centre is well on course to fulfil the council's vision and make it one of the most attractive places in the North West to work, live, shop or visit. The provision of this major leisure facility will take us a step further towards achieving this aim."

The developer will provide 81 parking spaces dedicated to the development and has agreed with the neighbouring college to share a further 269 spaces. Peak times for the leisure facility are anticipated to correspond with low demand by the college.

Council leader Marie Rimmer told the committee: "I get more letters about this than anything else. People want a cinema in the town. Personally, I can't wait for it to open.

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