Ambitious plans to revitalise the Wellgate Centre are being modified, The Courier understands.
A new multiplex cinema was at the heart of a proposal, first approved in 2013, to modernise the shopping centre.
However, with the recent collapse of BHS and half of the centre’s units now lying empty, John Sullivan, director of the firm behind the cinema, says he believes plans are being “reworked” but insists he’s “comfortable with the situation”.
He added: “Everything is cracking on nicely at the moment.
“We’re still making progress with the Dundee project, but things like this do take a while.”
His London-based company, Light Cinemas, is expected to open the eight-screen cinema in the final quarter of 2017, in just a year’s time.
In response to the closure of BHS he commented: “We’re comfortable with the situation and we don’t think it’s an issue.
“It’s unfortunate that BHS is to make way but I think there will be a new use for the space.”
The firm has already invested more than £100,000 in the project.
Management at the centre have insisted plans remain on course, and say there has been interest from retailers in three large units.
The planning application submitted to Dundee City Council in 2013 sought permission to change part of the Wellgate Shopping Centre to form the cinema.
The new cinema complex is to be located in part within the existing shopping centre and in part within an area of the building which incorporates the library at the north east of the centre. It would be located on levels 3 and 4 of the centre.
The library is currently located on levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the centre.
When completed and fully let, the project is expected to generate up to 330 new full and part time jobs in the leisure and cinema units, as well as temporary jobs during construction.
Orchard Street, the investment company behind the proposals, and the Wellgate Centre have yet to respond to a request for comment.
