Vue recommits to Norwich’s Castle Quarter for another 20 years
Cinema operator Vue has committed its future to Norwich’s Castle Quarter shopping centre, signing a lease for an additional 20 years.
As part of its recommitment to the eight-screen cinema, Vue has also completed a significant refurbishment of its auditoria, including the installation of recliner seats as well as a refreshed foyer.
Vue’s commitment to Castle Quarter underline’s the scheme’s repositioning towards social, leisure, and lifestyle operators whilst retaining its traditional retail core.
As a key pillar of the destination’s leisure offer, Vue complements competitive socialising brands such as Boom Battle Bar, Putt Putt Social, and Escape Hunt, to create a hub which is unrivalled in central Norwich. The scheme has also introduced a number of independent and innovative dining options, further enhancing the scheme’s appeal.
This repositioning of the asset towards leisure and social has resulted in increases across footfall, dwell time, car park usage and occupier turnover at Castle Quarter, with at least 75% of occupiers reporting higher year-on-year trading figures.
Will Ashdown, asset manager at RivingtonHark, said: “Vue has long been a central part of what Castle Quarter has to offer visitors, and as such it is fantastic to see the chain commit to the destination for a further 20 years. This lease and investment in the cinema upgrades highlight not only the trading success Vue has seen at Castle Quarter, but also its confidence in the repositioning that we have successfully implemented over recent years. Castle Quarter is Norwich’s leading social, leisure and lifestyle destination, and we look forward to continuing to work with Vue to ensure it remains the go-to choice for the city’s cinemagoers.”
Dave Windross, Head of Property, Vue UK & Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to have committed to a further 20 years at Castle Quarter following the extensive refurbishment of Vue Norwich, working hand-in-hand with asset managers RivingtonHark. The recent improvements include adding more than 800 luxury leather recliner seats and a ‘new-look’ foyer to ensure we continue to provide our customers with the very best big screen experience.”
Roche and Jamieson Mills are the retained agents on Castle Quarter.
The updated foyer at Vue Castle Quarter