Plans to build a long-hoped-for cinema and restaurant complex in Yate have moved closer to becoming a reality this week with the town’s shopping centre owners lodging an application for the development to South Gloucestershire Council.
The £12m scheme would create 150 jobs during construction and up to a further 250 jobs when fully occupied.
Dominion Corporate Trustees (DCT) said several cinema groups were interested in operating the scheme, which would include seven restaurant units, a riverside cafe pod and three retail units as well as a six-screen multiplex. 
DCT, which acquired the shopping centre seven years ago and has since undertaken a redevelopment, has earmarked land next to the town centre car park in Link Road for the cinema scheme.
A public consultation exercise held by the shopping centre in May showed nearly 77% of the 300 respondents backed the cinema complex concept with a further 16% supporting it but with reservations about the need for new retail units.
DCT managing director Mark Hull said: “Since we held the public consultation we have been addressing the technical issues raised. We believe we now have a scheme that is viable and is appealing to the market. Several operators have told us they are prepared to commit to leases and we now just need to get planning so we can start the ball rolling.
“The feedback from the consultation has been overwhelmingly positive although there were concerns raised about the many vacant units in the existing centre. Things have changed since the public consultation: we have seen many of the then vacant units occupied or under offer and there is a new air of confidence among the retail industry. We have some top high street names looking to come to Yate but they do need suitable premises.”
Shopping centre manager Andrew Lowrey added: “Yate has been promised a cinema for many years and I am being asked daily what’s happening about the plans. They are now with the council and I hope people will write in and show their support for the application.
“This is a key plank of the town’s Community Plan and is a major commitment for the centre owners.”
The application is expected to be validated by the council in the next few days and should be decided by the planning committee early next February. Work will then start on-site in late 2014 with completion scheduled for late 2015.
