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Family Entertainment Centre to replace Blackpool Odeon

The curtain will come down for the final time at Blackpool Odeon this summer as developers start arriving on site. The popular Blackpool cinema is situated on Rigby Road and it is set to be demolished to make way for a Family Entertainment Centre during the 2023 summer season. Proposals to redevelop the cinema site were unanimously passed by Blackpool Council’s planning committee last year.

The 10-screen multiplex cinema opened for business at festival park in late 1998 and 25 years on, bosses at Odeon Cinemas have confirmed that the closure date of the complex will be June 2023.

Owner of festival Park, Astringer Capital, stated that they wanted alternative uses for the cinema site given that Odeon were highly unlikely to renew their lease which is to expire in June. David Smith made an address to the Blackpool Council planning committee on Astringer’s behalf, telling councillors: “The reason for the application is the Odeon lease is due to expire next year and they are likely to vacate the building.

“The proposals would allow another operator to take over and the proposed use of the building would provide a new experience.” He added: “The change of use of the cinema would remove competition to the cinema at Houndshill and also encourage activity in the new indoor centre.”

Cinema-goers in Blackpool will be served by a new nine-screen multi-media cinema complex which is being developed in partnership with MMC Cinemas as part of the Houndshill Shopping Centre, the venue set to feature the largest immersive screen in Lancashire.