New Cinema Complex Comes to Poole

A new-build, nine-screen cinema complex, complete with with four adjacent casual dining restaurants, will be developed in Poole town centre. Construction is expected to start later this year to convert the former Argos store and adjoining units.

Centre manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, John Grinnell, said, “We’re delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted for this exciting multiplex cinema.”

Empire Cinemas has signed a 25-year lease to operate what will be the first multiplex in the town centre, with one of the nine screens being open-air on the rooftop, giving a memorable experience for residents and holidaymakers.

The cinema development is the latest announcement in an 18-month improvement programme introduced by Legal & General. Legal & General bought the Dolphin Shopping Centre in 2013 and have invested £26 million into the programme to introduce changes including new retailers, mall refreshes and public realm updates.

Grinnell added, “This latest investment will further shift the shopping centre towards a truly family-orientated offer and will help bring an element of trade that will extend into the evenings, creating a strong daytime and evening attraction for the south coast town.

“The cinema, at the heart of the shopping centre, will help generate more vibrancy and appeal for the town as a whole and will provide significant additional amenity for visitors to the Dolphin.”

Justin Ribbons, chief executive officer of Empire Cinemas, commented, “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted. Empire Cinemas is thrilled to be returning to Poole as part of this fantastic new leisure facility at the Dolphin.

“With nine screens including Empire Cinemas large format, IMPACT® Screen, D-Box and our open-air, rooftop screen there really will be ‘Something for Everyone’.”

The Dolphin has an annual footfall of 11 million, a square footage of 530,000 and over 100 restaurant, leisure and retail brands.