CHESTER’S former Odeon cinema is looking increasingly likely to be the site of the city’s new theatre, after a report by outside consultants.
Amion – Liverpool-based specialists in economic development and regeneration – conclude that the city centre cinema building offers much better value for money.
The vacant art deco building was bought by the council earlier this year, but remained in competition with the Little Roodee as the site for the theatre.
Amion’s 48-page report will be considered by Cheshire West and Chester’s ruling executive next Monday when members will make a recommendation to a full council meeting held three days later.
Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and recreation, said: “The executive will carefully consider all the information before them before making a recommendation that is vitally important to Chester’s future as an international visitor centre.
“The process has, of necessity, been long and detailed – but at last we are on the verge of real progress.”
Amion, which has been working with the council on the regeneration of Ellesmere Port, has reviewed the costs, benefits, value for money and risks associated with each of the council’s two preferred locations for the long-awaited theatre.
A third option – the bus station/ library site – put forward by Chester In Concert has already been rejected.
Amion estimate the development would cost in the region of £56.76m for the Little Roodee and £42.975m for the Odeon.
Both are said to offer “broadly similar” benefits – such as 133 full-time equivalent jobs and £4.1m in gross value added – and both are also forecast to have an annual operating deficit of £933,000.
In the report, Amion said: “The creation of a landmark building on the Little Roodee site could create a significant regional and national profile. Conversely, the Odeon site may have a more immediate impact within the core of the city centre.”
Amion assesses the risks associated with the Little Roodee as “significantly higher” than those attached to the Odeon site.
The report said: “Based on the available evidence, the Odeon site is assessed to be the best option – offering better value for money than the Little Roodee, in particular due to its lower costs.”
