Burnley Council’s executive is recommending that a special meeting of the full council approve a financial package to make proposals for a leisure development in Burnley town centre a reality.

Plans to create an eight-screen cinema, together with supporting restaurants and car parking, on the former Pioneer site in Curzon Street were approved in late 2018.

Due to the current challenging market conditions a revised, phased scheme has been developed, with the initial phase comprising an eight-screen cinema and five restaurants.

Burnley councillors have agreed a report setting out how the borough’s economy will recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council’s executive discussed the report which looks at the impact of the pandemic on people, businesses and Burnley and Padiham town centres and what Burnley Council and its partners need to do over the next five years to recover from this major economic shock.

Councillor Mark Townsend has been elected as the new leader of Burnley Council.

The move follows the resignation of the previous leader, Councillor Charlie Briggs, who led a coalition administration.

Labour now takes control of the council, as the largest group. Its 22 seats falls one short of an overall majority on the 45-seat authority.