Poole: Construction work to start on nine-screen cinema complex
The Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole has announced that construction work is expected to start next year, on converting the existing space in the former Argos store and adjoining units into a new-build, nine-screen cinema complex.
Planning permission was successfully granted by Borough of Poole in September and Empire Cinemas has signed a 25-year lease to operate what will be the first multiplex in the town centre. The cinema development is part of the Dolphin’s £26 million programme of investment with Legal & General.
Legal & General bought the centre in 2013 and has introduced other changes to the centre throughout 2018, including mall refreshes, public realm updates and a host of new retailers joining the line-up. These have included Deichmann, the German shoe retailer, H&M, the Swedish fashion retailer, Smiggle, the fashion-forward stationery brand, JD, the leading trainer and sports fashion retailer and an upgraded New Look store, which now takes up two units across two floors.
John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, commented: “It’s been a hugely successful year and we’re very excited to see what 2019 will bring. We’ve introduced some huge changes to the centre and have exciting plans in the pipeline for next year to celebrate our 50th anniversary – a huge milestone for the town’s shopping centre.
“Refurbishment at the centre is well underway; phase two is almost finished and all improvements scheduled for the internal mall are now complete. A refit of the Plaza is yet to be carried out and new branded signage will be installed. Our refurbishment works will continue into early next year.”
This year saw the centre unveil new public toilets in the main mall, with touch-free technology and Changing Places facilities. These new facilities include a ceiling track hoist, a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench and improved wheelchair accessibility.
