Simon Mulligan

Wigan Council approved plans to convert the vacant former Cineworld cinema in Leigh into a bulky-goods retail unit for a national DIY or home‑improvement retailer. The project includes exterior changes, a new service yard, reduced parking, added cycle spaces, and removal of the cinema interior to form a single retail space. Planning officers found the proposal compliant with local and national planning policy and determined it would bring economic benefits. Consultations raised concerns about traffic, noise, and environmental impact, but assessments found no significant issues. Conditions include limits on delivery hours, biodiversity protections, and a required travel plan before opening.