Pans for ex-Cineworld in Leigh to become DIY shop approved

The former Cineworld at The Loom retail park in Leigh, which has stood empty since January 2025, is set to be transformed into a retail unit for bulky goods under plans which were submitted to Wigan Council earlier this year.

Realty Income Limited submitted the plans to convert the site into a shop supplying DIY, trade, and home improvement products.

The plans include changes to the building’s exterior, including new roller shutters and revised windows, as well as the construction of a service yard to the side of the building to support deliveries by large vehicles.

A planning report from Wigan Council stated that the new service yard will result in the loss of 72 parking spaces, while creating four spaces for larger vans and two additional disabled bays.

The 16 new cycle parking spaces requested as part of the application have also been included in the proposals.

Inside, the cinema layout will be removed to create a single, open-plan retail area on the ground floor. The overall floorspace will be reduced from 3,027 square metres to 2,592 square metres to reflect the changes.

A transport assessment submitted with the application concluded that, despite the reduction in parking, there would still be adequate space for retail park visitors.

Planners also agreed that the proposed use of the site was appropriate.

The planning report said: "The principle of the proposed retail development is acceptable in this sustainable location on the edge of the town centre, and will bring a prominent vacant site back into productive use with associated employment and economic benefits."

The planning statement also indicated that the building is unlikely to reopen as a cinema, citing industry changes and a lack of commercial demand.

It stated: "The repurposing of the building would bring benefits to the town centre, improve consumer choice, and help revitalise the area."

Planning officers raised no objections to the proposals, noting that the site had operated as part of a retail and leisure park for many years, despite its designation as an employment area under the existing local plan.

The proposals were found to comply with policies set out in the council’s Places for Everyone joint development plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Consultations were carried out with nearby residents and businesses, resulting in three responses. Concerns raised included increased HGV traffic, potential noise impacts, and the risk of materials entering the nearby canal.

However, officers concluded that the plans would not negatively impact traffic flow or residential amenity.

Environmental health officers reviewed a noise impact assessment and raised no objections, provided conditions were in place to limit delivery hours and noise levels from fixed plant.

Conditions have also been proposed, including measures to protect biodiversity, replacement tree planting, and ecological enhancements such as bat and bird boxes.

The council’s ecology adviser supported the biodiversity net gain calculations and confirmed the development would deliver a 10.88 per cent net gain.

A travel plan is required before the store opens, setting out how staff and customers will be encouraged to use sustainable transport.

The Loom retail park currently includes a Tesco Extra, two restaurants, a gym, and Sports Direct, all served by a large, shared car park.

While the store’s operator has not been named in the application, the planning statement confirms it is intended for a "national multiple retailer of DIY, trade and home improvement goods."

A condition is proposed restricting the use to "bulky goods" to ensure the development does not negatively impact the vitality or viability of Leigh town centre.

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