Cinema ‘very keen’ on centre challenge
THE LIGHT WANTS TO PRESS AHEAD WITH BROADMARSH MOVE
THE owner of a new cinema complex that was destined for the closed Broadmarsh centre said he “remains very keen” to still set up at the halfdemolished shopping mall.
Broadmarsh and Victoria Centre owner Intu announced it had collapsed into administration in August and appointed KPMG in a bid to protect itself from lenders over £4.5billion of debt.
The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the retail world at the time and threw into doubt the future of the half-demolished Broadmarsh Centre.
Rather than purely having a focus on retail – as had largely been the case with the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre previously – Intu announced plans for the redevelopment of the centre to include more leisure options, including a bowling alley run by Hollywood Bowl, more eateries and a multiscreen cinema run by The Light.
The Light Cinema is an independent cinema chain with venues across the country.
Cinemas have been under strenuous times during the pandemic, with Nottingham’s Cineworld temporarily closing along with all of the company’s other sites across the country. The news came after the studios behind the James Bond franchise delayed the release of new film No Time To Die for the second time due to Covid-19.
Keith Pullinger, deputy chairman and founder of The Light Cinema, told the Post: “These are indeed difficult times although we are confident that cinemas can have a great future as long as they recognise the changing landscape and consumer demand.
“We remain very keen to bring The Light to Broadmarsh.
“The challenge ahead is to create an exciting mix of new offers to deliver something special for the city.
“We have expressed our continued interest and are willing to offer our leisure expertise to help shape the development potential.”
It comes as the date for when the future of Nottingham’s half-demolished Broadmarsh Centre will be discussed was revealed.
A report will be presented to Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board on October 20, setting out the way forward for the redevelopment of the shopping centre.
There have been widespread calls for something other than a conventional shopping centre to be built in its place.
Before the new report is presented, spending is needed to cover the “continuing site arrangements” and for “essential site safety measures”.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson previously told said: “With the Broadmarsh Centre under city council control, it’s important we continue to maintain the site and ensure it is safe given the key walkway joining Collin Street and Lister Gate and the site’s potential as part of the city’s long term vision for regeneration.
“The decisions taken here allow us to keep the site safe while we consider, with the general public and the help of experts, the future of the Broadmarsh Centre site.”