FRANKIE & BENNYS LINED UP FOR LEADING NORTH WEST LEISURE DESTINATION

A £8 million indoor leisure destination, The Hive, under construction in Widnes town centre, has attracted Italian/American bar and restaurant chain Frankie & Bennys which will open next year at the entrance to the development.

Widnes Regeneration, the joint venture between St Modwen Properties PLC and Halton Borough Council, plans to have the initial phase, comprising a five-screen cinema, ice rink and 24-lane bowling alley, and retail/restaurant space completed for fit-out in November.

Loughborough-based Reel Cinemas will operate the cinema.

Tenpin Ltd has concluded a deal to operate the bowling alley and the ice rink is committed. There are two restaurant units and 10,000 sq ft of retail accommodation still available to let in the initial phase.

Richard Bakes of St Modwen, said: “The initial phase of The Hive will deliver some of the finest leisure facilities in the North West, anchored by the leading names in the leisure and restaurant industry. This success we hope to build on to deliver the second phase which can accommodate a hotel, restaurant and further leisure facilities, subject to obtaining the necessary consent.”

Leader of Halton Borough Council, Coun.Tony McDermott, said: “This is another important milestone reached in the process of delivering leisure facilities that the people of Halton can be proud of and will use again and again.

“The whole Waterfront development is progressing confidently at the moment and by the end of this year it will have changed out of all recognition again as other developments come on stream or reach completion. This is an exciting time to be involved in the future of Widnes and the whole of Halton.”

GVA Grimley are advising Widnes Regeneration Ltd.

Issued on behalf of Richard Bakes of St Modwen (01925 825950) by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121 313 1000).

Ref: MOD/51/08