The Animate scheme is a £45 million development in central Preston, forming part of the Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme. Located next to Preston Markets on the site of the former indoor market and car park, the project aims to revitalise the city centre and establish a new leisure destination for the North West. It is one of six key projects within the wider £200 million investment intended to transform the Harris Quarter into a vibrant cultural and economic hub.
Animate features a broad mix of attractions, including an eight-screen cinema, a 16-lane bowling alley with gaming zone, five family restaurants, a food hall, a competitive socialising unit, public realm improvements, and a 164-space basement car park. Developed by Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, in partnership with Preston City Council, Waterman provided multidisciplinary consultancy support. Our involvement spanned from pre-planning through to completion, covering structural and civil engineering, geotechnical services, drainage, building services, environmental, and acoustics.
The architectural design by Leach Rhodes Walker draws on Preston’s textile heritage, combining modern materials with industrial motifs. The building’s façade features patterned metallic panels designed by local artist Bonnie Craig, incorporating ‘Tenterhook’ shapes to reflect the city’s historic identity. Approximately 1,150 tonnes of steel were used in the structure, erected in carefully managed phases to suit the constraints of the busy city centre location.
Public realm upgrades around the site include landscaped areas, pedestrian pathways, and improved access to cycling and public transport networks, encouraging sustainable travel and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Sustainability is central to the design, with high-performance materials, energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable drainage all contributing to reduced environmental impact and increased climate resilience.
