A planning application which would allow the Odeon cinema to be converted to storage units looks set to be approved – but may never be carried out.
The building’s owners applied for permission for the change of use earlier this year but made clear it was only a backup plan and that they hoped Odeon would remain in place. The cinema chain meanwhile confirmed to Blog Preston that it had no intention of moving on.
The plans are due to go before Preston’s planning committee on Thursday (June 4) and a report prepared by a council officer recommends that approval is granted.
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It concludes that, if progressed, the proposal would ‘secure the continued productive use of an established brownfield site within the Preston urban area’, while maintaining an employment function, supporting economic growth, avoiding any long-term vacancy, and making efficient use of an existing building with only minor physical alterations.
Odeon in Port Way has been operating since 2004 and the site dates back to 1990 as a cinema when it was UCI. The 10-screen cinema, which has nearly 2,000 seats in total and a car park with more than 200 spaces, was put on the market in late 2024 with a price tag of £6.5million.
In the application, Aylward Town Planning said on behalf of the unnamed owners: “This planning application seeks consent to use the existing cinema building for self-storage (B8), in the event that the existing tenant was unable to continue trading as a cinema.
“We confirm that it would be the applicant’s preference for the building to remain in use as a cinema, but notwithstanding that the landowner is obliged to ensure it preserves flexibility for the building to remain in sustainable economic use in the event that the existing use proved incapable of being continued.
“For absolute clarity, the current occupiers of the premises have not advised the owners of any intention to cease operating the building as a cinema. The purpose of this change of use application is solely to secure the lawful opportunity to move into an alternative use (if required) to prevent the building from becoming vacant in the future.”
In March, a spokesperson for Odeon told Blog Preston they remain committed to the Docks site: “We are aware of a planning application submitted by the landlord in relation to our Odeon Preston cinema.
“It does not affect our operating position in any way. Odeon Preston remains open, and our focus continues to be on delivering a great cinema experience for our guests.”
