Fresh planning bid for Athlone IMC Cinema extension and revamp
The operators of Athlone's IMC Cinema have submitted a fresh planning bid for a complete revamp of the facility which would see it expand from six screens to ten.
The planning application from Cinema Properties Limited was lodged with Westmeath County Council on November 6.
It comes five and a half years after the council approved a similar application to extend and overhaul the entertainment venue at the Golden Island Shopping Centre.
Citing the Covid-19 pandemic as a delaying factor, Cinema Properties Ltd did not commence work on the project within the five-year timescale of its original planning permission.
Earlier this year the company sought an extension to the duration of its planning permission. This request was turned down, however, and the permission that was granted in 2019 duly expired on September 10 last.
The new planning application for the project states that Cinema Properties Limited intends to "undertake a significant investment" into the existing six-screen cinema in Athlone.
This would involve the construction of four additional screens and a new cinema entrance, local car parking, the relocation of parking spaces within the existing Golden Island Shopping Centre car park, and the construction of a new restaurant unit alongside the extended cinema building.
The existing floor space in the cinema, of 1,768 square metres, would be extended by 1,301 sq m in order to give an overall building floor area of 3,069 sq m.
The application states that the site area proposed for the extension would result in a net loss of 30 parking spaces locally, and that, as a result, "an existing but now unused loading bay" would be converted to provide 33 parking spaces to the south of the centre's car park.
A new internal fit-out of the cinema would include "a new concessions area, new seating, and new screens," and would "provide for a greater film offering and for alternative content such as Met Opera Live, etc."
"In addition, Galactic Screens (Large Format Screens) and VIP screens will enhance the customer offering," stated a planning report submitted by Brian Dunlop Architects on behalf of Cinema Properties Ltd.
The report goes on to say that the materials used in the Athlone IMC Cinema have become "dated" and that the current building "does not make a positive contribution to the overall aesthetic" of the Golden Island Shopping Centre.
Outlining the rationale for the development, it pointed to the expected population growth in the Athlone area.
"Based on our client's research it is expected that the population of Athlone and the catchment area for this cinema would continue to grow over the coming years which would result in additional demand for cinema services.
"It has been identified that to ensure viability, the cinema service offering must adapt and requirements for VIP style screens, Galactic Screens, etc, must be facilitated.
"The additional screens proposed will allow the existing cinema to offer a luxury cinema experience."
The report also said it was anticipated that, upon completion, the extended cinema would generate employment for an additional ten members of staff.
A decision on the application is due by January 9 next.