Vue, the largest cinema operator in the UK, has committed to staying at Castle Quarter, Norwich’s leading social, leisure and lifestyle destination, by signing a lease for a further 20 years.
As part of the international chain’s extension of the lease on its eight-screen cinema, Vue has completed a significant refurbishment of its auditoria, including the installation of recliner seats and a refreshed foyer to enhance visitor experience.
The latest commitment further strengthens Castle Quarter’s offer, underlining its successful repositioning towards social, leisure and lifestyle operators while retaining its traditional retail strengths. Vue is a key pillar of the destination’s leisure offer, with complementary competitive socialising brands such as Boom Battle Bar, Putt Putt Social and Escape Hunt creating a hub that is unrivalled in central Norwich. The repositioning has also brought in independent and innovative dining options, further enhancing Castle Quarter’s reputation as somewhere to visit to watch, play, eat and shop.
The repositioning of the asset towards leisure and social has resulted in strong performance across footfall, dwell time, car park usage and occupier turnover, with at least 75 per cent 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.”
