Cinema to Open at Eastleigh's Swan Centre by Autumn 2006

10.25.00pm GMT Thu 27th Jan 2005

Cordwell Property Group, development partner to Prudential and Eastleigh Borough Council, has announced today that it is set to sign a leading multiplex cinema operator, at The Swan Centre in Eastleigh.

The proposal is to open a nine-screen cinema within the proposed extension of The Swan Centre. The development team are also in exclusive negotiations with a major hotel operator and plan to launch an 84-bed hotel. Strong interest is being received in the remaining leisure space for a 10-pin bowling alley, health and fitness and a variety of cafes and bars.

Blueprints for the long awaited project reveal the redevelopment of the existing surface car park into a 16,722 sq m (180,000 sq ft) leisure complex.

Once completed, the scheme will provide a vibrant piazza terrace which will greatly complement the already successful 27,880 sq m (300,000 sq ft) shopping complex - home to more than 40 retailers including Tesco, Boots, Argos, WH Smith, Top Shop, New Look and Next.

A detailed planning application is due to due to be submitted shortly. Subject to the grant of planning permission, the developers anticipate construction would start on site in summer 2005, which would see the completed scheme open for trading in late autumn 2006.

Leader of Lib Dem run Eastleigh Borough Council, Keith House comments: "We have been working with Cordwell Property Group and Swan Centre owners The Prudential for the past two years, and I am confident that the hard work out in by the team will now confirm the Borough Council's ambition of many years to bring a major cinema operator, and leisure package, to the centre of our town".

"Over the coming months, as the project works its way through the planning process, we expect to be able to help some of Britain's biggest names in leisure to launch their presence in Eastleigh for the first time."

Malcolm Wilcox from Cordwell Property Group adds: "We are delighted that such high quality operators are wanting to open in Eastleigh, and look forward to working with Eastleigh Borough Council to deliver the project".

Property Advisers DTZ Debenham Tie Leung are marketing the remaining leisure space on behalf of Cordwell Property Group.