The Light Cinemas
Company type | Limited Company |
---|---|
Industry | Entertainment (movie theatres) |
Founded | 2007 |
Founders |
|
Headquarters | London, England, UK[1] |
Number of locations | 13 cinemas (2023) |
Website | https://www.thelight.co.uk/ |
The Light Cinemas (stylised as the light) is a British independent cinema chain that exclusively screens films using digital cinema technology.
The Light was founded in 2007 by former Cineworld director Keith Pullinger and former Warner Village Cinemas director John Sullivan.[2] The oldest UK cinema in the chain is currently in New Brighton, which opened in December 2011. Since then, twelve more venues have opened across the UK, while the company has also been involved in cinema exhibition internationally, in Bulgaria, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
The cinema chain offers screenings of both mainstream and independent films in a 'luxurious' environment, with standard cinema ticket prices. Their venues also include a
Brand
The Light initially sought to compete with its major rivals by taking advantage of digital cinema technology, which is comparatively cheaper than traditional film stock projection.[2] The chain is exclusively digital, meaning that it can also broadcast sports, live theatre, music and opera performances.[4] Additionally, Pullinger has argued that digital screening gives The Light a 'flexibility' to choose between showing more, different films and showing the same film on several screens simultaneously.[5]
The Light also pitches itself as a "community" cinema.
As part of their attempts to create what Pullinger described as a "cinema environment that feels luxurious, with plenty of atmosphere and personality",
History
Founded in 2007 by Keith Pullinger and John Sullivan,[2] The Light opened its first UK venue in December 2011 in New Brighton,[10] followed later by a second venue in Wisbech in May 2014.[11]
The cinema chain made national headlines in 2015, when they successfully raised the £5.2 million needed to purchase a nine-screen multiplex in Cambridge from rival company Cineworld.[2] The latter had been forced to sell the venue following a Competition Commission ruling.[12]
At this point in January 2015, they had already signed new lease agreements in Bolton, Sheffield, Thetford, Dundee, Stockport and Walsall.[2] While the Dundee site eventually fell through as negotiations with the local shopping centre fell apart,[13] the other five venues successfully opened over the next three years.[8][14][15][16][17] Two more sites, in Addlestone and Bradford, opened in 2018, bringing their total in the UK up to 10.[18][6]
COVID-19 pandemic and reopening
Following the nationwide UK COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, cinemas across the country were forced to close. They were briefly able to reopen from August 2020, but following the imposition of a second and later a third lockdown in England, they were forced to close again.[19]
In May 2021, fourteen months after their initial closure, The Light cinemas were able to open again. This month also saw them open their eleventh UK venue in Sittingbourne.[19]
The economic impacts of the
Despite this setback, Pullinger maintained that The Light was “actively seeking” a venue in Nottingham, with the chain offering an ‘expanded’ offering to new sites. This included not just cinema screenings, a café and bar, but also
Future locations
Plans to open a venue in Huddersfield got off the ground in January 2021, after developer WD Limited was loaned £7 million by Kirklees Council.[22] After years of delays, which the developer blamed on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was announced in March 2023 that redevelopment would start imminently, with a target opening date set for September 2024.[23]
A venue in Colchester was announced in 2020, as part of the 'Tollgate Village' development project in Tollgate West, near Stanway, Essex. The cinema was originally slated to be finished by the end of 2021.[24] In June 2021 the directors of the firm responsible for the development said that they "hope to commence building next year [2022]".[25] As of June 2023, this development was expected to go ahead, although with no clear completion date set.[26]
Locations
Location | Screens | Date opened | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Addlestone[18] | 6 | 5 Oct 2018 | |
Banbury[20] | 7 | 10 Jun 2022 | |
Bolton[8] | 9 | 7 Oct 2016 | |
Bradford[6] | 6 | 11 May 2018 | |
Cambridge[2] | 9 | 30 Jan 2015 | Venue purchased from Cineworld |
New Brighton[10] | 8 | 2 Dec 2011 | |
Redhill[27] | 6 | 16 Jun 2023 | |
Sheffield[14][28] | 9 | 14 Apr 2017 | |
Sittingbourne[19] | 8 | 28 May 2021 | |
Stockport[16] | 12 | 24 Nov 2017 | |
Thetford[15] | 3 | 2 Dec 2016 | |
Walsall[17] | 8 | 18 Mar 2016 | |
Wisbech[11] | 8 | 23 May 2014 |
International expansion
In Europe
After its founding in 2007, the first venues that the company opened were not in the UK. Before the opening of its New Brighton venue in 2011, The Light had opened a cinema in Bucharest, Romania in 2008, and another venue in Halle, Germany in 2009.[29] The Romanian part of the company dissolved in 2015,[30] and Pullinger announced that the venue in Germany would be closed in July 2021 due to financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.[31]
Saudi Arabia
In March 2019, The Light Cinemas 'made history' by being awarded an operating license to exhibit films in the
This sparked controversy due to the international backlash against Saudi Arabia following the government's murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. In response, Pullinger argued that the fallout from Khashoggi's murder was "for politicians to deal with", and that "Saudi Arabia represents the biggest opportunity for box office growth in the world". The Light claimed that it was one of only five companies to qualify for the Saudi government’s operating license at the time.[33] By the end of 2021, MUVI cinemas had successfully opened 21 locations across the country, alongside investing in film distribution and film production.[34]
References
- ^ "The Light Cinemas (Holdings) Limited overview". Companies House. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Indie cinema chain to challenge UK's 'homogenous' giants". The Telegraph. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "Join - The Light". The Light Cinemas. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "The Light confirmed as new cinema chain for Thetford Riverside development". Eastern Daily Press. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ a b "The Light Cinemas leads in UK & Europe on new Cinema Development". Ozseeker. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Popcorn at the ready: Here's when The Light cinema opens in Broadway". The Telegraph and Argus. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "The Light Cinema to screen Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Studio Ghibli as part of their Anime Season line-up". Anime UK News. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "REVIEW: The Light Cinema opens at Bolton's Market Place Shopping Centre". The Bolton News. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Cinema boss 'actively seeking' venue in Nottingham despite failed Broadmarsh Centre plans". Nottinghamshire Live. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ a b "New Brighton new cinema The Light gets RNLI-themed opening night". Liverpool Echo. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Light Cinemas Wisbech". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "Jobs saved as Cineworld sells its Cambridge branch to international chain The Light". Cambridgeshire Live. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Could cinema plans in Dundee's Wellgate be back on track?". The Courier. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ a b "New cinema, The Light, opens on The Moor". Sheffield Live. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "A look behind the scenes at Thetford's new cinema". Eastern Daily Press. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Take a look around Stockport's brand new Redrock cinema". Manchester Evening News. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Light Cinema to open in Walsall next month as part of £12 million development". Birmingham Live. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "The Light Cinema in Addlestone opens its doors to the public". Surrey Live. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Sittingbourne sees The Light as new cinema prepares to open". Kent Online. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "New cinema set to open in Banbury's town centre". Oxford Mail. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "The Light Opens New Cinema & Entertainment Venue in Redhill". Retail & Leisure International. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Kingsgate cinema plan WILL go ahead thanks to £7m Kirklees Council loan". Yorkshire Live. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "Work on new Huddersfield cinema and bowling complex set to start". Yorkshire Live. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "The Light to open multi-screen cinema at Tollgate Village". 10 March 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "New plans for £65m Tollgate Village development in Stanway submitted". 17 June 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "How Colchester areas have changed since the year 2000". 3 June 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "The Light opens new cinema and entertainment venue in Redhill". The Business Magazine. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ^ "Light Cinemas Sheffield". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "Neptune hands over cinema for fit-out". Place North West. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "The Light Cinemas (Romania) Limited overview". Companies House. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Light Cinemas: Home". Light Cinemas. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "UK Company, The Light Cinemas, in conjunction with The Big Picture, Is Awarded One of Few Operating Licenses in Saudi Arabia". Celluloid Junkie. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "UK indie multiplex chain The Light Cinemas to expand into Saudi Arabia". Screen Daily. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Word of mouth is driving cinemagoing in Saudi, says Muvi Cinemas executive". Screen Daily. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2023.