A New £20 million Cinema and Arts Complex for the City

The Lib Dem led city council is planning to invest £4.28 million in the plan for a new Digital Media Centre, which could be located in the city centre and will replace the Phoenix Arts. The rest of the investment in the plan will be coming from the private sector.

The council's Lib Dem led cabinet has now agreed that the plans should be developed further, therefore a more detailed report will be given to councillors in August 07 when a final decision will be taken on whether to proceed.

Cllr Roger Blackmore, Lib Dem leader of the Council said, "This will deliver over 60 new businesses over three years and lever in considerable sums, up to £60 million in private sector investment, which will assist 450 businesses to improve their performance and safeguard further jobs."

The eight-storey centre has already been given planning permission. If it gets the final go-ahead, it would include 3 large screens, 225, 125 and 30 seats, along with a "digital experimentation" space called 'the Cube' - This would offer an aircraft simulator, "chill-out" audio visual space, games, digital arts presentations, podcasts and live webcasts. A digital production suite, recording facilities and a studio. There would also be a cafe, workspace and flats as part of the development.

If the scheme is approved, the opening of the complex would be timed to roughly coincide with the closure of Phoenix Arts, in Newarke Street.