Multiscreen £8.2 million cinema could open in Daventry by 2020

Daventry District Council (DDC) hopes to build the new Mulberry Place cinema development on land north of High Street (Town Centre Vision Site 1) and is inviting people to have their say on the proposals during a public consultation later this month.

The latest designs show how the three or four-screen cinema (all with over 100 seats each) and two restaurants/bars would be built on the current site of Daventry library.

The library would be relocated to modern new premises within the nearby Abbey Resource Centre in St John’s Square.

Councillor David James, Daventry District Council’s economic, regeneration and employment portfolio holder, said: “A new cinema has always been at the forefront of our vision to transform Daventry town centre into a thriving leisure destination so delivering this scheme is a top priority for us.

"It’s a popular choice for people locally and we are keen that residents and businesses find out more about the plans and give their feedback to help us shape the proposals.

"I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to these open events or visit our website to view the plans and have their say."

DDC is working with design and build contractors Willmot Dixon and architects Marchini Curran Associates on the £8.2 million cinema development and will be asking residents, businesses and community groups to give their views on the proposals before submitting a planning application later this autumn.

The council is continuing discussions with a range of cinema operators and working with commercial advisors to help appoint a preferred operator for the scheme, with the option to build a cinema with either three or four screens, depending on requirements.

DDC is also working with Northamptonshire County Council Libraries Service to ensure Daventry Library moves to the Abbey by April 2019.

This scheme does not need planning permission, but building regulations will need to be approved before work starts next year on transforming the ground floor into modern, new library premises.

The cinema consultation runs from Monday, October 15 until Sunday, October 28, with opportunities to view and comment on the plans during a series of open events at Daventry library in North Street at the following times: Tuesday, October 16 from 3pm to 7pm; Thursday, October 18 from 10am to 2pm; and Saturday, October 20 from 11am to 3pm.

Alternatively, they can view the proposals and complete the questionnaire online from October 15 at: www.daventrydc.gov.uk/consultation.

The closing date for comments is Sunday, October 28. Displays of the proposals will also be available to view in the library and DDC’s Lodge Road offices during the consultation period.