‘Beeston’s answer to the Cornerhouse’: Five new units opening under cinema complex

The units at the cinema complex are due to open over the August Bank Holiday

By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter


Broxtowe Borough Council hopes to see ‘Beeston’s answer to Nottingham’s Cornerhouse’ when five new units open in a leisure complex next month.

The units, including a sports bar and restaurant, will open under the Beeston cinema complex over the August Bank Holiday.

Councillor Milan Radulovic, leader of the Labour-run authority, said there are major plans in the pipeline to ensure the town can compete with Nottingham city centre’s offerings.

There are six units to fill under the new eight-screen Arc Cinema on Station Road in Beeston.

Cllr Radulovic said two of the units will be filled with a sports bar offering games such as air hockey.

The other units will be filled with food outlets, restaurants and bars, but the names of the companies are not yet being revealed. One unit is still to let but interested parties have come forward.

He said none of the companies are national chains and the project was about bringing ‘local entrepreneurs’ into the town.

The project is part of a wider £50m Beeston Square development scheme, which includes the building of 132 homes opposite the cinema site.

Cllr Radulovic said: “The plan is food, beverage and social outlets under the cinema, which will start being fitted out in July and then will be open by August Bank Holiday.

“The cinema and social complex will be a major destination not an attraction. Beeston, as you can see on market day, there are hundreds of people around but in the evening it drops off.

“We want to boost the night-time economy.

“We want to create a Cornerhouse there like in Nottingham. You will come to Beeston and not just go to the cinema but use the bars and restaurants and it will give a major lift to the town.”

The Cornerhouse on Burton Street, Nottingham, includes a Cineworld cinema plus restaurants, an arcade, a casino and a crazy golf course.

Plans are also under way to redevelop the empty Argos store in the square. The council wants to transform the building into ‘smaller units’ which are expected to be approved in July.

“We have had a lot of interest from shops, bars and restaurants but the cinema block is too big for them. The cinema is having an economic spin off for the town centre,” he added.

He said the former Explore Learning unit next to the Argos site would hopefully be used as a place for local artists to showcase their work.

Beeston shoppers have largely welcomed the plans so far.

The Arc cinema building, Beeston.

Julie Atkins, 62, from Beeston, said: “I am hoping it will bring more people to the town. I think I would come out more now I know there are going to be bars and restaurants here.

“Beeston is getting more continental. Years and years ago I thought there was more character with the quirky streets but we have to move with the times.

“Beeston is brilliant because of its transport links.”

May Martin, 79, from Toton, who regularly visits Beeston, said: “I think the cinema is absolutely brilliant.

“I do not know about bars and restaurants underneath because there are a lot of pubs already in Beeston. Nottingham has a lot to offer but I think Beeston is starting to get that way.”

Caroline Ball, 41, also from Beeston, added: “I have a seven-year-old daughter so I will be bringing her to the cinema. It will be like a mini Nottingham city centre.

“With the tram and Tesco here, it is really making Beeston come alive. It will put the town on the map and it will bring more jobs to the area.”

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