100 jobs to be created at The Broadway’s new cinema development

The Light, one of the UK’s newest cinema brands, has signed up to operate Meyer Bergman’s new state-of-the-art cinema in Bradford, part of an extension to the recently opened Broadway shopping centre which is managed by Westfield.

The extension, granted outline planning consent by Bradford Council in August 2015, includes a six-screen, 780 seat cinema and four restaurants, totaling 35,000 sq ft additional space in The Broadway. This cinema-focused development will create around 100 new jobs.

The cinema and restaurants will be located on Broadway and Charles Street, creating further linkages between The Broadway shopping centre and the rest of Bradford City Centre.

Along with The Light, terms have been agreed with two of the four restaurants, with the other two under offer. The operators of these restaurants will be announced shortly.

A Meyer Bergman spokesperson said: “We’re thrilled that The Light has agreed to open its first luxury cinema in Yorkshire by coming to Bradford. Bringing on board such a high quality operator is a real vote of confidence in Bradford, and shows how The Broadway is helping to revolutionise retail in Bradford City Centre.

“Since opening on 5th November, The Broadway has gone from strength to strength, seeing 250,000 visitors in its first four days of trading and real interest in filling the few remaining retail units.

“Opening a fantastic new cinema and great new restaurants is a natural next step forward for The Broadway, and we look forward to these plans further aiding the regeneration of Bradford City Centre and supporting the nighttime economy.”

Keith Pullinger, CEO of The Light, added: “We currently operate three cinemas in the UK, and committed to opening at ten further sites, all now in development. What struck us, and what convinced us that The Broadway was the right location for our cinema, is that real sense of momentum and energy you feel when walking around Bradford.

“It’s clear that the opening of The Broadway has given Bradford a real boost, and that Bradford is a city on the up. It’s a city we can’t wait to be a part of.

“At The Light, we aim to provide a unique entertainment experience in a friendly, relaxed environment that offers excellent customer service and value for money. We look forward to bringing that experience to Bradford very soon.”

After being granted outline planning consent in August 2015, a reserved matters application is now with Bradford Council to finalise the details of the cinema and restaurants. Construction work is scheduled to begin on the extension in early 2016.

Cllr David Green, Bradford Council Leader, also commented: “It’s great that a luxury cinema such as The Light has the confidence to come and be part of our city.

“Having a new cinema and four new restaurants adjacent to The Broadway further boosts the fantastic cultural dimension of our city centre. I really believe that Bradford is now offering the full package that defines a great city.

“If we can offer different types of shops such as the major names in The Broadway, and more unique shops such as will appear in the Sunbridge Wells project, along with different types of restaurants and cinemas, then there is all the more reason for people to come here.”

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