// Debenhams store in Bury St Edmunds’ Arc Shopping Centre may be turned into Everyman cinema
// A planning application has been lodged with West Suffolk Council
The former Debenhams store in Bury St Edmunds’ Arc Shopping Centre may be transformed into an Everyman cinema if plans are approved.
A planning application has been lodged with West Suffolk Council for the basement to be part retail and part cinema.
The application shows that the cinema chain Everyman plans to create four cinema screens with a fifth for private hire, as well as a small bar and restaurant area.
READ MORE: Former Leicester Debenhams store to be converted into 305 flats
In total, the screens would provide 306 seats. The largest screen will accommodate 104 customers, with the others comprising a 74-seat screen and two 48-seat screens. The private hire space will cater for 32 viewers.
Intended hours of use have been listed as 9am-2.30am Monday-Sunday, with limited exceptions to 3.30am for midnight screenings and blockbuster releases.
In the application by Bury WM Unit Trust, it states a cinema will “promote the vitality and viability of the town centre by securing a leisure and entertainment use within the primary shopping area”.
It is expected that 15 full-time and 15 part-time jobs will be created if approved.
Everyman Group currently owns 36 cinemas, but in its application said it was looking for opportunities to grow that number.
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