Willmott Dixon has won a £6.7m contract to extend and improve Leicester’s renowned Phoenix cinema and art centre
The arts hub project, which has been procured via SCAPE, has funding support and investment from the Arts Council England and Leicester City Council.
It extends the existing facility by adding two new cinema screens, allowing it to become a four-screen cinema, complete with a new art gallery, a bigger and better Café Bar, a roof terrace and more spaces for making and learning.
Parts of the current building – which was built in 2009 by Willmott Dixon – will also be refurbished to create new office and foyer spaces and extend the existing digital arts gallery.
Throughout the project, Willmott Dixon will be working with Phoenix to ensure the venue remains operational and that the construction work causes minimal disruption to the occupants of the residential apartments housed within the existing building.
Leicester City Council is helping to fund the project with the aim that it will support the local creative sector following a difficult year in lockdown.
An invaluable asset to the local community in Leicester
Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “The build has played a huge role in the area’s digital economy, attracting national funding and supporting initiatives to boost local tourism, so we’re incredibly proud to be a part of its continuing success.
“Being awarded another phase of works following completion of the initial build twelve years ago highlights how this standard has been embedded within the company for more than a decade. We can’t wait to collaborate with the Phoenix team again to bring even more creative benefits to Leicester city centre.
“This project will present some challenges – such as its city centre location and the close proximity of residents, as well as the site remaining live throughout the programme of works – but our experienced operations teams will be working alongside the customer to find solutions that allow the project to run as seamlessly as possible.”
John Rance, chief executive officer at Phoenix, commented: “We are expanding a unique cultural venue that includes digital arts, cinema, a popular café and spaces to meet, create and learn.
“Phoenix attracts a wide range of visitors, and Willmott Dixon and Marchini Curran Associates have done an excellent job working with us to produce a final design that meets both our ambition for the development and the challenges of funding and value for money. We are very excited to be moving forward with Willmott Dixon to complete the scheme.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, added: “As we attempt to collectively focus on building local economies back up, the expansion of Leicester’s Phoenix cinema and art centre is testament to the innovative thinking of Leicester City Council.
“This successful delivery of phase one by Willmott Dixon will attract new businesses to the area as well as provide a fantastic and accessible facility for the local community to enjoy.
“As we, as a nation, work towards our net zero target, it is fantastic to see that the extension will be built with sustainability at the very heart of the plans creating a positive legacy for the future and the local community.”
