'ONE of the largest modern cinemas' in the north west - including an IMAX screen -  will be at the heart of the new Bridge Street development in Warrington.

A council report to be debated next week says the cinema, to be run by one of the biggest cinema operators in the country, will have room for 2,000 seats in total and is understood to be around 10-screens in size.

The confirmation means the development of the site will now cost around £107million - far bigger than originally thought.

Planners also say the car park, to replace the one on Academy Way which will be demolished, will have space for 1,300 cars.

The report also says the cinema, which has been the source of negotiations for the past year, will attract more restaurants to the project.

It added: "It secures the main anchor to the Bridge Street Quarter scheme – without it the scheme would not progress.

 "It makes the family restaurants element of the scheme more viable as the cinema is the key attraction to potential restaurant operators,

"The combination of the new larger cinema and restaurants will drive more footfall both through the scheme, the covered market and through the adjoining retail streets (particularly Bridge Street) – thereby enhancing their trading position and enabling their regeneration. 

"The scale of the new cinema makes it one of the largest modern cinemas in the region and the new Bridge Street Quarter (with its new Cinema, restaurants and Covered Market) a significant regional leisure destination.

"This would have a transformational effect on the fortunes of Warrington town tentre – curtailing retail leakage (Warrington residents shopping outside Warrington) and attracting new customers."

The scheme is expected to bring in £5.5million a year when complete.

The report is set to be discussed at a meeting of the executive board in the Town Hall next Monday, April 13. Starting at 6.30pm.