tp bennett secures planning permission for a new cinema at The Dolphin Shopping Centre

A major development of part of The Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole to transform it into a nine-screen cinema complex and four restaurants, has secured planning permission from the Borough of Poole. The announcement is the latest in The Dolphin’s £26 million programme of investment by owners Legal & General.

Designed by tp bennett, the leisure development will be at the heart of the shopping centre and encourage a more exciting and modern retail experience for visitors. It will reside amongst other high-profile retailers including H&M, Deichmann Shoes and New Look, with more to be announced, and will provide an additional amenity for local residents through its daytime and evening appeal. One of the nine screens feature an open-air cinema on the rooftop, creating a unique destination for the town. Empire Cinemas has signed a 25-year lease as operator.

Built in 1969 as one of the Arndale generation of shopping malls, the scheme covers 530,000 sq. ft. and is already home to over 100 retail, restaurant and leisure brands, as well as independent boutiques. The Dolphin Centre has been significantly improved over the past year, including an internal mall refurbishment and improvements to the public realm areas in Falkland Square and Kingland Crescent are planned for next year. Construction work on the cinema will start imminently.

James Painter, Associate Director at tp bennett:

“The new cinema will form an intrinsic part of the wider transformation of the Centre, of which there is a strong local appetite for. The redevelopment works include a refreshed public realm to enhance the customer experience and reinforce the town centre as a family-friendly retail and entertainment destination.”

Mark Russell, Senior Fund Manager at LGIM Real Assets, said:

“The Dolphin centre has been significantly improved over the past year with a focus on an internal mall refresh, as well as improvements to the external areas in Falkland Square and Kingland Crescent. We’ve also introduced new brands to appeal to our wide spectrum of customers, from students to day-trippers. H&M, Deichmann Shoes and New Look have all joined the line-up in recent months, with more to be announced.”

Joint leasing agents are Colliers International and Lunson Mitchenall.