Maple Grove Developments has signed Nando’s for the the £23 million Pioneer Place leisure complex in Burnley town centre.
A spokesperson from Nando’s said: “We are excited that the news is out and we can finally share that we are coming to Burnley. Bringing all the PERi-PERi heat, we will be opening later in the year. Watch this space for more details.”
The development, constructed by Eric Wright Construction, will include a seven-screen REEL cinema and five retail and leisure units plus a 226-space public pay-and-display car park, and is set to be opened in late summer 2023.
It is estimated Pioneer Place will support around 180 jobs, with a further 100-plus new jobs being created in the cinema and supporting food outlets.
Nik Puttnam, senior development manager at Maple Grove Developments commented: “As the council’s development partner, it’s great to see the site taking shape and we look forward to welcoming Nando’s later in the year.
Burnley Council leader Councillor Afrasiab Anwar said: “It’s massive news that Nando’s is coming to Burnley. There have been rumours floating about and it’s great to be able to confirm that a deal has been done.
“It’s the result of a lot of hard work by council officers and our partners in this exciting development.
“Nando’s will bring in visitors from a wide area and help create a buzz across the town centre that will benefit other businesses who will the see the positive impact from the increased footfall. It will encourage people to stay longer in town, especially into the late afternoon and early evening, and boost the town centre economy.
“Pioneer Place is fast taking shape and we’re almost there; I’m sure people can’t wait for it to open.”
Pioneer Place has secured funding from Burnley borough and Lancashire county councils, the Government’s Getting Building Fund administered by Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and fashion company and the borough’s largest employer Boohoo Group.
Pioneer Place forms part of a wider town centre masterplan to attract millions of pounds of investment into boosting Burnley town centre. It follows recent investment in improvements to the town centre, the creation of a Heritage Action Zone, and the council’s purchase of Charter Walk shopping centre to help secure its future.