A NEW Newtownabbey cinema complex is set be rubber stamped by council planners next week.
The proposed Old Church Road development, comprising a multi-screen cinema as well as café/restaurant units is recommended for approval at Monday evening's meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council planning committee.
The scheme is being brought forward by European property development and investment firm, Hammerson, who already own the Abbey Retail Park.
The company's extensive portfolio spans 14 countries and also includes Kildare Village and Dublin's Dundrum Town Centre.
The new Newtownabbey development will be the first Showcase cinema to open in Northern Ireland, after the luxury brand was acquired by Hammerson last year.
The brand operates 940 screens in the UK, US, Argentina and Brazil.
The latest plans have previously been met with opposition from the Movie House group, which operates a cinema in neighbouring Glengormley.
Speaking last year, Movie House managing director, Michael McAdam said his Glengormley site would close if the Newtownabbey proposals were given the green light.
If as expected the new cinema is granted planning permission it would be a further blow to Mr McAdam after he confirmed on Tuesday his Dublin Road cinema will close its doors in May after 12 years of trading.
Software giant Kainos is investing £7m to redevelop the site as its global headquarters.
Speaking after announcing the Belfast closure, Mr McAdam said it had been a "difficult decision".
"We’ve seen a big shift in cinema attendance out of Belfast city centre to suburban cinemas, which offer free parking," he said.
“It was a difficult decision whether to sell or reinvest in the site. It is with a heavy heart that we decided on the latter and we wish Kainos every success with the redevelopment of the site for their new headquarters.”
