Hawksworth plc has today announced that it is in advanced discussions with The Light to be the cinema operator in the proposed £100 million redevelopment of North Westgate.

 

Peter Breach, chairman of Hawksworth plc said, “The North Westgate development is one of the most exciting opportunities in Peterborough and is set to bring major new opportunities to the city in terms of a new leisure quarter, new homes and new jobs – all centred on a beautiful new public square around Westgate Church. So it is great to be able to announce that we are in advanced discussions with The Light about them being the operator of the cinema, which is at the heart of our plans. The Light are an exciting and ambitious operator with a focus on customers – that’s just what we want in our high-quality scheme.”

 

Keith Pullinger, Chief Executive of The Light said, “We are very excited at the prospect of coming to Peterborough and are in advanced discussions about being part of the proposed North Westgate development. This is an ideal site for us in a perfect, central location. The prospect of being part of an attractive new public square and at the heart of a new leisure destination is what makes this work for us. The Light is a major new brand in the cinema world and is actively expanding its operations across the UK. We already have a very popular cinema at Wisbech and have acquired the successful 9 screen cinema in Cambridge at the Cambridge Leisure Development. We have a further six new developments in the pipeline across the east of England and the North West.

 

“We are very focused on a high-quality customer experience within a premium environment, and believe our ambitions are a perfect match for Peterborough’s exciting growth agenda, as one of the fastest growing cities in the UK.

 

“We are clear though that there is only room for one cinema in Peterborough – North Westgate is the ideal place for it and we want to be a central part of this ambitious regeneration scheme with all the benefits that brings to the city.”