A MULTI-million pound leisure complex could be open in Accrington town centre by next spring.

The proposed development on council-owned land at Moreton Street would boast a multi-screen cinema, 20-lane ten pin bowling alley and fast food restaurant.

A planning application from Apollo Leisure is expected to be submitted to Hyndburn Council very soon.

Hyndburn's director of regeneration, Nigel Rix, said: "Lawyers are working on the contractual details at the moment.

"We are looking at a timetable which would involve hopefully an application being considered by the planning committee in early July."

If planning permission is granted, building work could start in late July or early August. Mr Rix said: "We are pulling out the stops to secure this development within the next 12 months and have the cinema, bowling alley and fast food restaurant open and trading in Spring 1999."

The cinema, with between four and six screens, would be run by Apollo, which has operators lined up for the bowling alley and restaurant.

It is believed that plans for a nightclub in the development have been shelved.

Mr Rix said: "There was concern expressed by colleagues in Lancashire police force about the possibility of opening a further nightclub in the town centre.

"Apollo listened to that and decided to consider the building of a slightly larger cinema to meet the demand from local people for a cinema."

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