The Loom is a modern retail, restaurant, and entertainment complex in Leigh, Greater Manchester. In addition to a cinema, it also offers a large Tesco supermarket, a gym, and a handful of places to eat.
Cinema – Cineworld Leigh
This state-of-the-art multiplex is the only movie theatre in Leigh. With seven screens equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, the cinema provides movie-goers with an immersive viewing experience.
The theatre showcases various movie genres, from blockbuster hits and romantic comedies to indie films and documentaries.
Cineworld offers the Cineworld Unlimited membership program. The scheme allows movie enthusiasts to watch unlimited screenings for a monthly or annual fee. It is perfect for those who love to stay up-to-date with the latest releases without breaking the bank.
Shops – Tesco Extra And Sports Direct
The park is home to a large Tesco Extra supermarket. Tesco offers an extensive range of products, from fresh produce, pantry staples, household goods, and health and beauty products, to clothing and electronics.
The store also has an in-house cafe where shoppers can take a break and grab a bite to eat or a coffee. For those planning international travel, there’s a currency exchange counter available. There’s also a pharmacy, petrol station, and car wash.
The store is open every day of the week. Standard opening times are 6 am to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays.
There’s a Sports Direct store at the entrance to Tesco. This leading retailer offers sports equipment, plus streetwear and leisurewear.
Restaurants at The Loom – Nando’s and Don Alberto’s
The park offers a handful of dining options. Nando’s is a popular chain restaurant known for its peri-peri chicken. It provides a casual dining experience with a menu catering to meat lovers and vegetarians.
Don Alberto’s specialises in Venetian cuisine. The restaurant also features an outdoor terrace, perfect for al fresco dining during summer.
There’s also a cafe in Tesco.
Gym – Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness offers a comprehensive range of fitness facilities and services for those looking to stay fit. Open 24/7, the gym allows members to work out at their convenience.
The gym has a range of fitness equipment, including strength/free weights, functional training equipment, and cardio machines.
Membership at Anytime Fitness includes a complimentary fitness consultation, access to multiple gyms worldwide, and a supportive member community.
Ensuring member safety, particularly during non-staffed hours, is paramount. Therefore, the gym operates a secure keyfob entry system and 24/7 CCTV monitoring. This way, members can confidently access the gym anytime, knowing their safety is ensured.
Location and Parking Information
The Loom is conveniently located on Derby Street in Leigh town centre (postcode is WN7 4BA). It is off Spinning Jenny Way and opposite the Spinning Gate Shopping Centre.
The complex offers a dedicated car park with spaces for over 800 vehicles. Parking is free for customers but is time-limited. Check the notices on the car park for the free time allowed. Staying beyond the stated limit can result in fines.
Leigh Bus Station is only two hundred yards away.
There is no train station in the town. The nearest railway station is Atherton Train Station (approximately 3 miles away).
History
Before it became a popular commercial hub, the site was occupied by Quinn Radiators, a manufacturer of domestic radiators.
This factory was an essential part of Leigh’s industrial landscape, providing jobs and contributing to the town’s local economy. However, the factory closed its doors in 2008, leaving a vacant site ripe for development.
Recognising the potential of the derelict site, developers Salmon Property embarked on a grand £50 million project to transform it into a modern retail and leisure park. The Loom was completed in 2011.
The first tenants were Cineworld, Tesco, Frankie & Benny’s, The Real China, and Nando’s. Over the years, the tenant mix has changed. The Real China, a buffet-style restaurant, closed in 2015. Frankie & Benny’s, a New York Italian restaurant and bar, enjoyed years of operation until before closing in 2019.
Comparison with Other Leisure and Retail Parks in Leigh
The Loom is one of several retail/leisure parks in the Leigh and Wigan area.
Parsonage Retail Park is a larger facility with more stores and eateries. While it outshines The Loom regarding shopping and dining options, it lacks a cinema.
Robin Park is a larger development in the nearby town of Wigan. Robin Park has a cinema, more shops, and a wider choice of venues to eat and drink.
Middlebrook, situated in Horwich, is a bit further away. It is one of the largest retail parks in the UK and boasts an impressive portfolio of stores and eateries. In addition to a cinema, it offers attractions such as tenpin bowling. Despite the distance, it attracts visitors from Leigh with its comprehensive shopping, dining and entertainment options.
I’ve just found this out. I took my children to two cinema showings last Sunday and went for dinner at Tesco in between the two. I now have a PCN for £60 which I have just appealed.
I’ll certainly be mindful of this in future and it’s a good reason not to take them to see two films in one day – at least not there anyway! We’ll go to the TC in future!