Curzon has been announced as the company taking control of the upcoming boutique cinema at the Bentall Centre.
The four-screen cinema got the green light in September and Curzon, an art house chain, has just signed a 25-year lease for the space, which includes a rooftop terrace bar and restaurant.
Construction is expected to start in Summer 2018, with the cinema due to open in Autumn 2019.
Curzon is based in the UK, with the majority of its cinemas in London.
The option will give cinema goers more choice in Kingston, with the Odeon offering more mainstream films.
The new cinema is part of an all-round revamp of the Bentall Centre to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The redevelopment project includes a host of new stores and restaurants being introduced, along with the general enhancement and modernisation of the Centre.
Two stores have opened in the past week- American homeward retailer West Elm opened on December 8 and NYX Cosmetics opened its second standalone UK store, NYX Professional Make Up, on December 7.
Toy shop The Entertainer is moving from Kingston Market Square to the ground floor, opening on December 15.
Philip Knatchbull, chief executive officer of Curzon, said: “When deciding where to open new cinemas, Kingston was a priority destination with The Bentall Centre and its central location an obvious choice for us.
“Our approach to modern cinema is to create amazing destination venues and the unforgettable customer experience we provide aligns perfectly with the consumer experience strategy The Bentall Centre team is developing and delivering.”
Simon Green, director at Aviva Investors Real Estate, leasing agent of the Bentall Centre, said: “This letting to Curzon Cinemas is a major coup for The Bentall Centre and Kingston in general.
“It is a continuation of our strategy to ensure the asset is aligned to what customers want and fit for purpose in a changing world of retailing, where assets with strong destination appeal, in our view, will emerge as the winners.
“Curzon Cinema will be a major pull for the centre, adding to the great mix of retail and leisure brands already trading in the asset.”
What do you think of Curzon getting on board? Contact: grainne.cuffe@newsquest.co.uk
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