July 16, 2022
National cinema and leisure operator The Light has launched its latest complex anchoring Phase 2 of Cherwell District Council’s Castle Quay Waterfront in Banbury. The 55,000 sq ft venue is the brand’s 12th site, combining premium cinema with a high-quality leisure offer aiming to have broad appeal across Oxfordshire. The Light is now actively seeking further development opportunities across UK towns and cities and has appointed property agent KLM Real Estate to help expand its portfolio.
The Light Banbury is a three-storey, canal-side destination incorporating a state-of-the-art cinema together with a unique mix of leisure activities and diner restaurant. The Light has built a reputation for developing a new type of offer that puts luxury cinema and associated entertainment at the heart of town and city centres. As well as a seven-screen cinema, the venue is home to a host of social activities including 10 lanes of bowling, mini golf, a retro arcade, climbing centre, interactive darts and karaoke room.
Since The Light was established in 2007, the focus has always been on developing a sustainable cinema model, offering film-goers the opportunity to enjoy the latest releases in the heart of their community. The operator has built a portfolio of 12 complexes focusing on the latest sound and vision technology, customer comfort and value for money.
“We’ve always looked to push the boundaries of what cinema and leisure can offer”, says co-founder, Keith Pullinger. “The Banbury opening marks another milestone for our business and is a sign of our intent to provide a unique mix of uses which resonates with our customers. We want to take that concept to as many people as possible and are actively looking for sites across the UK to put The Light at the heart of urban regeneration.”
Since attracting investment in 2015, The Light has opened nine additional sites. It is opening a new 40,000 sq ft destination in Redhill in Easter 2023 as part of mixed-use town centre development known as The Rise. The operator is also working on incorporating The Light into the leisure expansion of Huddersfield’s Kirkgate Centre and the business has now instructed commercial agent KLM Real Estate to secure a pipeline of further UK sites.
Pullinger explains: “We have developed a unique and flexible model to integrate our offer into town and city centres. This ranges from a compact model of 35,000 sq ft, up to 85,000 sq ft for a full leisure offer, well suited for larger city centre markets.”
The Light is flexible in its approach and is willing to consider new build or retrofit options. It is keen to reach out to stakeholders including local authorities and shopping centre owners wanting to revitalise urban centres and incorporate leisure at the heart of the offer.
