Nick Park CBE returns to Preston to open Animate
13 February 2025
Award-winning film director Nick Park CBE returns to Preston to open Animate - Preston's New Entertainment and Leisure Destination in February Half Term.
The Honorary Freeman of Preston Nick Park CBE, multi award-winning filmmaker and Preston-born creator of the animated, loveable heroes Wallace and Gromit, will be visiting his hometown to officially open the city's £45m+ Animate entertainment and leisure destination.
After 13 months of construction work that started in January 2023, the city's new £45+m entertainment and leisure destination will officially open on Thursday 20 February with an official ceremony at 3pm.
Nick will join The Mayor of Preston, Councillor Phil Crowe and other special guests to unveil a new piece of artwork for the city centre.
Nick was previously guest of honour in the city in September 2021 when he unveiled the city's iconic Wallace and Gromit bench at Preston Markets.
To help us celebrate the opening of Animate and following on from the internationally-acclaimed and hugely popular family favourite, the latest Wallace and Gromit film - Vengeance Most Fowl, from 1pm Wallace and Gromit characters will also be making a special guest appearances at Animate and Preston Markets to meet and greet their fans of all ages!
The film, which premiered on BBC One on Christmas Day, has been nominated for three Baftas and an Academy Award at this year's prestigious international film festivals, and we wish the team at Aardman Studios the very best of luck on behalf of the people of Preston!
The Preston Concert Band will be playing some family favourite theme tunes at the covered market from 4pm to 6pm and The Arc Cinema will be handing out delicious popcorn and other goodies to spectators and passers-by.
Two of the new leading family restaurant brands, Argento Lounge and Taco Bell will also be open serving tasty food and drinks throughout the day. The Arc Cinema will open its doors to the public on Friday 21 February showing brand new blockbuster movies.
The rest of the signed tenants to the scheme will phase their openings over the coming weeks:
- Hollywood Bowl - early March
- Ask Italian - early April
- Mad Giant Food Hall, Northern Lights Group - late April
- Cosmo All You Can Eat World Buffet - coming soon!
Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources at Preston City Council said:
We're thrilled to welcome Nick Park CBE and special guests help us celebrate the opening of Animate in partnership with the launch of The Arc Cinema. The transformation on the site of the former indoor Preston Market has been a long time in the planning, and seven years almost to the day when the old indoor market shut its doors for the very last time.
"As we celebrate and welcome special guests and our new tenants to Animate, we'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project over the years, and through their hard work and dedication have made the ideas into a reality that both residents and visitors to Preston can all now enjoy.
Maple Grove Developments (MGD), part of Preston-based contractor Eric Wright Group, delivered the scheme on behalf of Preston City Council.
The entertainment and leisure scheme supports the Council's commitment to Community Wealth Building, a fair, inclusive, and ethical approach to fostering sustainable economic development and prosperity for all in Preston. Measures include using locally based businesses, creating approx.
300 full and part-time jobs once fully open, and has supported 105 apprenticeship weeks worked throughout the build of the development.
The Council-owned scheme is in part funded by UK Government.