Can a cinema regenerate a town centre? That is the question answered by John Sullivan in his insightful presentation, delivered from an experienced position within the cinema development industry

1. The Future of Town Centres - 27th Nov 2013
Can a Cinema
regenerate a
Town Centre?
1

2. Introduction
John Sullivan
• Head of Consulting at dcinex UK Ltd,
Director at The Light Cinemas
• Previously Head of Development for
Warner Village and consultant for Vue
• Developed cinemas in the
UK, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Romania, South
Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand
2

3. What we do
Dcinex
Europe’s largest provider of cinema services:
• Digital and Satellite Equipment
• Content
• Consulting Services
3

4. What we do
Dcinex Consulting
Gives specialist advice and support services to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Property Owners
Local Authorities
Leisure Operators
Investors
Cinema Operators
Shopping Centre Asset Managers
4

5. Clients
5

6. The changing face of cinema
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
UK will be 100% digital by the end of 2013
35mm will be switched off
The model has changed
Now cinemas are more flexible
New product available
Event cinema
Hospitality and new offers
Social and cultural hubs for town centres
6

7. Case Studies – New Brighton
Creation of Marine Point: a mixed-use scheme to
regenerate a seaside resort
7

8. Case Studies – New Brighton
Faded seaside resort
8

9. Case Studies – New Brighton
Core research
• Ascertained cinema going appetite for Wirral population
• Identified who was going to cinema and where they
were
going
• Identified who were not going to cinema and why not
• Ascertained admission level potential for NB cinema
• Our forecast 270,000+ admissions
9

10. Case Studies – New Brighton
•
•
•
•
Neptune Development to regenerate the seafront
Anchored by Morrisons
Plus Travel Lodge & The Light Cinemas
Biggest hurdle was attracting restaurants and a Casino
user
10

11. Case Studies – New Brighton
• Cinema success created the footfall and demand the F&B
operators needed
• Now a successful destination
• Attracts local residents and visitors from the whole Wirral
and beyond
• Now boasts 9 successful F&B operators
• Kick started development alongside (Portofino &
Wheatherspoons etc.)
11

12. New Brighton - now
A highly successful leisure destination
12

13. Case Studies – Oldham
Stimulating regeneration and development through the
addition of digital cinema
13

14. Case Studies – Oldham
• Oldham Borough Council were looking to regenerate
the town centre
• Culture and leisure key to that regeneration
• Largest UK town with no cinema
• Options of out of town or center locations
• Use of existing historic buildings
• Possible integration with other existing cultural entities
14

15. Case Studies - Oldham
15

16. Case Studies - Oldham
16

17. Case Studies – Oldham
17

18. Will a cinema regenerate a town centre?
Yes and No
•
•
•
•
Not all situations require the same solution
Bigger is not necessarily better
Cinemas do not create a location on their own
Cinemas will help strengthen a good location but will often
fail in a poor location (e.g. Grants, Croydon & Vue
Birkenhead)
• Core research and understanding of the cinema going
potential for a market is essential
18

19. The changing face of cinema - examples
Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury
19

20. The changing face of cinema - examples
Ritzy, Brixton
20

21. The changing face of cinema - examples
Corner House, Nottingham
21

22. The Fidelity Swap
John’s slide
22

23. The Fidelity Swap
23

24. The Fidelity Swap
Increasing Convenience drives increasing Fidelity
24

25. New Models / New Markets
25

26. New Models / New Markets
26

27. New Models / New Markets
27

28. In Summary
Cinemas
• Are changing
• Boxes are out
• Can trigger regeneration with the right mass,
not on their own
• Can also solve issues with existing buildings
• Create social and cultural hubs
• Can be a multi media resource (conferences, live theatre, film
festivals etc.)
• The best is yet to come!
28

29. Thank you…
Ask away
29