Widnes Regeneration, a joint venture set up by Halton Borough Council and St Modwen Properties, is to develop a cinema and ice rink – with a combined cost of £10m – in the Cheshire town.

The company has signed the Loughborough-based chain Reel Cinemas to operate a five-screen moviehouse and Leisure Living to open an ice rink to be called Blue Ice as part of the Widnes Waterfront Economic Development Zone.

The ice rink will be large enough to stage ice hockey matches and have its own catering, amusement and bar facilities, a skating equipment shop and a function and meeting room.

Gordon Kirk, general manager of Leisure Living, said: “As well as public sessions, we will offer Skate UK lessons to help everyone learn to skate whether for fun or exercise. We will also be able to offer lessons and special taster sessions to local schools.”

The total investment in the Widnes Waterfront project – which may also include a bowling alley, family restaurants and pubs – will be more than £70m, with £18m coming from the public sector and £8m from European funding.

A planning application will be submitted in January next year and work is scheduled to begin by spring and be completed by summer 2008. Details: www.halton.gov.uk