A NEW cinema is one step closer to coming to Workington, after planning was granted for external signage to an out of town shopping centre.

Allerdale Borough Council have granted planning permission (with conditions) the installation of new external cinema signage Dunmail Park Shopping Centre, Dunmail Retail Park on Monday, November 7, after a planning application was submitted to the authority on October, 12. 

The plans have been submitted by Parkway Entertainment Company Ltd, who have venues in a number of different towns across the north west including Cleethorpes, Barnsley and Louth.

At the time of the application being submitted, many in the town had mixed views about the proposals.

Moira Browes was excited to see a new cinema starting up in the town, she said: "I really welcome the return of the Dunmail cinema."

However Sheila Turnbull did not agree, she said: "The town isn’t big enough for two cinemas. Recipe for disaster."

READ MORE: Public has their say after plans lodged which mean new cinema could be on the way for town

An officers report by Allerdale Borough Council said: "The application site comprises the front elevation of a large mixed use out of town retail centre.

"The elevation faces southwards towards the car park and has a range of advertisements for the existing retailers, restaurants and cafés within the building.

"The A596 runs to the west of Dunmail Park which is the main road to the north of the Borough. The existing advertisements can be seen from the A596."

"The aluminium sign is rectangular in design with a slight projection from the building not exceeding 1 metre. The sign is located on the entrance elevation to the building above the Terrace Café advertisement and with other signs noted for other retailers.

"There is no individual or cumulative impact from the sign which is of a modest size and in a location that has previously had advertisements. The site is not sensitive to any residential or other receptors and the highway is unaffected."

The shopping centre was home to the former Plaza Cinema company, which announced its closure in April 2021.

The Plaza cinema had been operating in Workington for 20 years before its closure.

In a statement at the time, the owners of the business, located in Dunmail Park shopping centre, pinned the closure on not being able to agree lease terms with the landlords.

READ MORE: New cinema could be on way for Dunmail Park, Workington