British Land has signed an agreement with Plymouth City Council to develop a leisure scheme next to its Drake Circus Shopping Centre in the city centre.

The £40m 100,000 sq ft Drake Circus Leisure development will compliment the 570,000 sq ft Drake Circus Shopping Centre by adding
a 12 screen cinema operated by Cineworld, 13 restaurant units and 450 car park spaces.

David Pollock, Retail Development Director for British Land, said: "The proposed leisure scheme creates an opportunity to take Drake Circus to the next level, and with a number of new brands added, is a very strong example of our strategy. We are delighted to be working with Plymouth City Council on this project to establish Drake Circus as the West Country's retail and leisure destination of choice."

A detailed planning application for the scheme is currently being developed and should be submitted in early 2015.

Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "There is a real sense of things happening in Plymouth. Our city centre supports over 14,000 jobs and we need to keep evolving to keep people coming in. The bus station has been an unwelcoming first point of call for visitors to the city, these projects will create a gateway that Britain's Ocean City deserves. Plymouth is on the up and having British Land investing heavily in our city centre sends a clear message that we are open for business."

The site currently houses a coach station which will be relocated.