Work starts on Mulberry Place development, Daventry
Work starts on Mulberry Place development, Daventry
Residents and businesses will start to see major changes in Daventry town centre as work gets under way this week on the Mulberry Place cinema development.
Construction firm Willmott Dixon has begun the project for Daventry District Council (DDC) to transform the former library site off North Street, Daventry, into a new four-screen cinema, with restaurants, public square and splash fountains.
Work starts this week on demolishing the former library buildings to prepare the site, with archaeological digs due to start later this summer and work on the cinema foundations beginning in autumn.
It follows on from last month’s relocation of Daventry Library to modern new premises in the nearby Abbey Centre, off St John’s Square. The former North Street building, which dates back to the 1930s, had become outdated, impractical and costly to run for the library.
People living and working near the site can find out more about the development and speak to contractors at a drop-in session on Wednesday, 19 June from 11am to 7pm at 69 High Street (the former Edison Electrical shop).
Meanwhile the Council is on course to agree a lease to its preferred cinema operator for the Mulberry Place development within the next couple of months. Due to sensitivities surrounding the commercial discussions, the name of the operator cannot be announced at this present time but will be in due course.
The Mulberry Place cinema development is subject to a realistic yet challenging timescale for the Council to complete the new cinema and restaurants by early 2021.
DDC’s Economic, Regeneration and Employment Portfolio Holder, Councillor David James, said: “With work starting this week, people will soon see the first physical signs of changes to the town centre as the site is cleared and the Mulberry Place cinema development gradually takes shape.
“Our contractors Willmott Dixon are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum whilst construction work is taking place and will be keeping people living and working near the site regularly updated on the progress being made. I would encourage them to also find out more about the various stages of work taking place by popping along to meet our contractors at the drop-in session next week (19 June).”