AUTUMN START FOR £10 MIL. NORTH WEST LEISURE CENTRE SCHEME

Development of a £10 million family-orientated leisure centre designed to become one of the North West¹s leading entertainment destinations, is to be started in Widnes in October.

The Venture Fields leisure centre project  by Widnes Regeneration Ltd, the joint venture between St Modwen Properties PLC and Halton Borough Council will become a flagship development within Widnes Waterfront.

Tenants are already signed up for a five-screen cinema which  is to be operated by Reel Cinemas, and  an ice rink run by Leisure Living  Ltd, a subsidiary of St Modwen. There is also planned a  24-lane bowling alley.

Richard Bakes, development manager of St Modwen, said: ³In addition we are also intending  to develop 10,000 sq ft of complementary shops and restaurants. Works on site will begin in October and  it is planned to open in autumn 2008.

³Venture Fields represents a significant milestone in the regeneration of Widnes Waterfront  and will put Widnes on the map as a family leisure destination.²

GVA Grimley is acting for Widnes Regeneration.

For further information contact Richard Bakes (01925 825950). Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121 236 7771).