Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has exited a lease agreement for the provision of a cinema at the Abbey Street regeneration scheme by mutual consent.
The Council had signed a contract with independent operator the Really Local Group in 2023, however, a review of the current market and project outputs has led to the Council negotiating an exit to allow it to seek an alternative leisure provision for Nuneaton.
Instead of a cinema the Council and its strategic development partner, Queensberry, will now look to explore alternative uses for the leisure box now under construction and hopes to confirm a new offer and operator in due course.
Cllr Chris Watkins, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said:
“This development is a huge opportunity to regenerate our town centre, and there's only one opportunity to get the right output.
“The Council will work towards securing a new use for the site, to create the best leisure offer for our residents and visitors to the borough.’’
Really Local Group said:
“We are disappointed that Really Local Group will not have the opportunity to open in Nuneaton as forecast.
“But we respect the fact the Council and its development partner have decided to take this project in a different direction than originally planned.
“On this basis it only seems reasonable we cooperate with them, as working with local community leaders is a core value of our organisation.’’