Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed the exterior shell and associated external groundworks of Grantham’s new Savoy Cinema, which will house a state-of-the-art, five-screen, 650-seat cinema as well as restaurant and office space.
The first floor of the building will be used as teaching and lecturing space by the University of Lincoln, with the ground floor currently being marketed as restaurant space.
South Kesteven District Council’s office building has also been remodelled as part of the works, to provide a link from the town centre onto St Peter’s Hill and the new cinema, which is due to open in summer 2019.
The project has been procured via the Scape Regional Construction framework.
Andy Sewards, managing director at G F Tomlinson said: “Now that the cinema’s external shell is complete, we can see the new facility really taking shape. We’re proud to play a part in the regeneration of Grantham’s town centre and have established a great new relationship with South Kesteven District Council which can be built upon for years to come.”
The £6.2m St Peter’s Hill Cinema project is part of South Kesteven District Council’s plan to regenerate Grantham’s town centre by extending the town’s leisure and cultural quarter.
The deputy leader of South Kesteven District Council Cllr Kelham Cooke and Cabinet member Cllr Jacky Smith met Savoy managing director James Collington on site.
“This is a significant day for Grantham and the whole district, a step closer to providing residents and visitors with a clean, modern and multi-screened cinema that can be enjoyed by many and will be an asset for the town and the surrounding area,” said Cllr Cooke. “We are committed to the regeneration of Grantham town centre, and this cinema will play a huge part in that.”
Cllr Jacky Smith, who has overseen the project, expressed her pride at the topping out and handover. She hailed a bright new educational vision for the district with a university centre above the cinema, thanks to a £2m grant from the Great Lincolnshire Learning and Enterprise Partnership towards build cost and fit out.
She said: “We shall have the luxury of five superb cinema screens here on the doorstep and a university centre to bring ambitious higher education options to South Kesteven, all under one roof.”
Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive said: “It’s great to mark another project milestone that plays an important part in the regeneration of Grantham, which is currently experiencing significant investment to revitalise the town. The whole community will benefit from the improved public realm and new facilities.
“By using our framework, South Kesteven District Council have guaranteed cost-effective and efficient project delivery, whilst ensuring that the local supply chain and economy has experienced significant benefits throughout the project’s lifetime and beyond.”
