September start date for Walsall cinema scheme

STOURBRIDGE-based developer, Cordwell Property Group has confirmed that work on a new cinema development in Walsall will get under way this autumn provided planning permission is granted next month.

The nine-screen cinema, to be located in the Littleton Centre, will be operated by cinema chain Vue Entertainment. A planning application for the scheme will be debated by councillors at Walsall Borough Council on June 6.

The Littleton Centre, which used to be the town’s old Quasar shopping centre, will help to lead the renaissance of the area of the town in Park Street and Town End Bank, ironically the former home of the town’s cinema.

The Littleton will also front the town’s new Tesco Extra supermarket and nearby Walsall College. As such, it is expected to become a high footfall area.
Cordwell said that if planning permission was granted next month then work on site would begin in September.

Tom Wilcox, of Cordwell, said: “We’re confident The Littleton Centre site will be a huge success, with a successful cinema operator in Vue and our track record in delivering major leisure schemes throughout the United Kingdom including numerous cinemas will be an important factor for restaurant operators. With the amount of interest shown to date the ground floor restaurants will be fully trading by completion in October 2014.

“Having successfully worked with Vue on many occasions, we are very pleased that they have chosen our development as their preferred location in the town, have signed a contract with us and are committed to opening their cinema as early as possible.

“The other important factor in deliverability of this scheme is that we have entered into a building contract  with  one of  the  UK’s  largest  construction  companies  and  will  be  making  a  joint  announcement shortly ensuring an early start on site.”  

Cordwell said Vue believed the Littleton Centre site was the most deliverable over other possible locations in the town.

Geoff Moore, Property Director for Vue, added: “Being in a prime location to attract cinema goers and readily accessible by both private and public transport, we are very confident that this will become one of the finest leisure destinations in the town and the region beyond.

“Having formally confirmed that we will be operating a state‐of‐the‐art cinema, we are looking forward to creating an exciting sensory experience in the Littleton Centre.”