{{short description|British cinema chain}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = The Light Cinemas Group Ltd. | logo = TLC MWP CMYK.png | type = Limited Company | genre = | foundation = 2007 | founders = {{ubl|John Sullivan|Keith Pullinger}} | location = London, England, UK<ref>{{cite web |url = https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08822170 |title = The Light Cinemas (Holdings) Limited overview |website = Companies House |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref> | locations = 14 cinemas (2025) | area_served = | key_people = James Morris (Chief Executive) | industry = Entertainment (movie theatres) | services = | market cap = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = Luke Johnson (businessman) | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = https://www.thelight.co.uk/ | footnotes = }}
'''The Light Entertainment''', also known as '''The Light Cinemas''' (stylised as '''the light'''), is a British independent cinema chain that exclusively screens films using digital cinema technology.
The Light was founded in 2007 by former Cineworld director Keith Pullinger and former Warner Village Cinemas director John Sullivan.<ref name = "Telegraph 2015">{{cite web |title = Indie cinema chain to challenge UK's 'homogenous' giants |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11377325/Indie-cinema-chain-to-challenge-UKs-homogenous-giants.html |website = The Telegraph |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 30 January 2015}}</ref> The oldest UK cinema in the chain is currently in New Brighton, which opened in December 2011. Since then, thirteen more venues have opened across the UK, while the company has also been involved in cinema exhibition internationally, in Bulgaria, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
The cinema chain offers screenings of both mainstream and independent films in a 'luxurious' environment, with standard cinema ticket prices. Their venues also include a café/bar, and some include entertainment facilities such as bowling, karaoke, climbing, and retro arcades. The Light offers ''Premiere'' cards, which allow subscribers to view films for a flat monthly fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cambridge.thelight.co.uk/join|title=Join - The Light|website=The Light Cinemas |accessdate = 19 July 2023}}</ref>
==Brand== The Light initially sought to compete with its major rivals by taking advantage of digital cinema technology, which is comparatively cheaper than traditional film stock projection.<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> The chain is exclusively digital, meaning that it can also broadcast sports, live theatre, music and opera performances.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/local-council/21001769.light-confirmed-new-cinema-chain-thetford-riverside-development/ |website = Eastern Daily Press |title = The Light confirmed as new cinema chain for Thetford Riverside development |accessdate = 20 July 2023 |date = 20 Feb 2015}}</ref> Additionally, Pullinger has argued that digital screening gives The Light a 'flexibility' to choose between showing more, different films and showing the same film on several screens simultaneously.<ref name = "Ozseeker"></ref>
The Light also pitches itself as a "community" cinema.<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> It offers an alternative to the traditional multiplex concept, focusing on customer comfort, and criticising larger chains for being "locked into Hollywood blockbusters".<ref name = "Ozseeker">{{cite web |url = https://www.ozseeker.net/2015/10/the-light-cinemas-leads-in-uk-europe-on-new-cinema-development/ |title = The Light Cinemas leads in UK & Europe on new Cinema Development |website = Ozseeker |date = 28 October 2015 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref> The Light regularly show films in various languages depending on local demographics,<ref name = "Telegraph 2015></ref> and champion accessible cinema with regular screenings featuring audio description, subtitles, and that cater to the needs of those with dementia or autism.<ref name = "Bradford opening"></ref> In the spring of 2019, The Light did screenings of a variety of anime films, including some from Studio Ghibli.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://animeuknews.net/2019/03/the-light-cinema-to-screen-dragon-ball-super-broly-and-studio-ghibli-as-part-of-their-anime-season-line-up/ |title = The Light Cinema to screen Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Studio Ghibli as part of their Anime Season line-up |website = Anime UK News |date = 11 March 2019 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref>
As part of their attempts to create what Pullinger described as a "cinema environment that feels luxurious, with plenty of atmosphere and personality",<ref name = "Bradford opening"></ref> The Light cinemas have a café/bar incorporated into the venue.<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> For example, in the Bolton venue that opened in 2016 they included large murals depicting heroic movie characters, and designed their furniture to have a rough finish in a nod to the town's industrial heritage.<ref name = "Bolton opening"></ref> From 2022, the chain started offering new facilities in some of its venues, such as bowling, mini-golf, interactive darts, climbing facilities and karaoke.<ref name = "Nottingham"></ref>
==History== Founded in 2007 by Keith Pullinger and John Sullivan,<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> The Light opened its first UK venue in December 2011 in New Brighton,<ref name = "New Brighton opening"></ref> followed later by a second venue in Wisbech in May 2014.<ref name = "Wisbech opening"></ref>
The cinema chain made national headlines in 2015, when they successfully raised the £5.2 million needed to purchase a nine-screen multiplex in Cambridge from rival company Cineworld.<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> The latter had been forced to sell the venue following a Competition Commission ruling.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/jobs-saved-cineworld-sells-cambridge-11948960 |title = Jobs saved as Cineworld sells its Cambridge branch to international chain The Light |website = Cambridgeshire Live |accessdate = 20 July 2023 |date = 29 Jan 2015}}</ref>
At this point in January 2015, they had already signed new lease agreements in Bolton, Sheffield, Thetford, Dundee, Stockport and Walsall.<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> While the Dundee site eventually fell through as negotiations with the local shopping centre fell apart,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/2780355/wellgate-dundee-cinema/ |title =Could cinema plans in Dundee’s Wellgate be back on track? |website = The Courier |date = 2 December 2021 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref> the other five venues successfully opened over the next three years.<ref name = "Bolton opening"></ref><ref name = "Sheffield opening"></ref><ref name = "Thetford opening"></ref><ref name = "Stockport opening"></ref><ref name = "Walsall opening"></ref> Two more sites, in Addlestone and Bradford, opened in 2018, bringing their total in the UK up to 10.<ref name = "Addlestone opening"></ref><ref name = "Bradford opening"></ref>
===COVID-19 pandemic and reopening=== Following the nationwide UK COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, cinemas across the country were forced to close. They were briefly able to reopen from August 2020, but following the imposition of a second and later a third lockdown in England, they were forced to close again.<ref name = "Sittingbourne opening"></ref>
In May 2021, fourteen months after their initial closure, The Light cinemas were able to open again. This month also saw them open their eleventh UK venue in Sittingbourne.<ref name = "Sittingbourne opening"></ref>
The economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic also destroyed the chain's hopes of opening a venue in Nottingham. Plans in the city fell apart when shopping centre company Intu, leaders on the transformation project, went into administration in June 2020 due to the pandemic.<ref name = "Nottingham">{{cite web |url = https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/cinema-boss-actively-seeking-venue-7126058 |title = Cinema boss 'actively seeking' venue in Nottingham despite failed Broadmarsh Centre plans |website = Nottinghamshire Live |date = 28 May 2022 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref>
Despite this setback, Pullinger maintained that The Light was "actively seeking" a venue in Nottingham, with the chain offering an ‘expanded’ offering to new sites. This included not just cinema screenings, a café and bar, but also bowling, mini-golf, interactive darts, climbing facilities and karaoke. The first site to offer these new facilities was based in Banbury,<ref name = "Nottingham"></ref> and opened in 2022.<ref name = "Banbury opening"></ref> In 2023, the chain’s 13th site was opened in Redhill, Surrey, including these facilities and also introducing for the first time axe throwing, curling and duckpin bowling.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.rli.uk.com/the-light-opens-new-cinema-entertainment-venue-in-redhill/ |title = The Light Opens New Cinema & Entertainment Venue in Redhill |date = 19 June 2023 |accessdate = 20 July 2023 |website = Retail & Leisure International}}</ref>
===2024 acquisition=== In October 2024, The Light was acquired by hospitality entrepreneur Luke Johnson, who had worked with Pizza Express and Gail's. The acquisition was led by his firm Risk Partners Capital, alongside the investment company Melcorpo. The new owners announced a plan to invest more than £15 million in order to double the size of the business in the next three years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/business/luke-johnson-leads-takeover-of-cinema-operator-the-light-b2627198.html |title = Luke Johnson leads takeover of cinema operator The Light |date = 10 October 2024 |accessdate = 13 December 2024 |website = The Independent}}</ref>
In April 2025, a 14th venue was opened in Huddersfield,<ref name = "Huddersfield opening">{{cite web |url = https://kirkleeslocaltv.com/news/lights-camera-action-the-light-opens-in-huddersfield-with-a-spectacular-launch/| title = Lights, Camera, Action! The Light Opens in Huddersfield with a Spectacular Launch |website = Kirklees Local TV |accessdate = 14 May 2025 |date = 12 April 2025}}</ref> four years after Kirklees Council loaned Kingsgate Leisure owners WD Limited £7 million to develop a cinema in the shopping centre.<ref>{{cite web |title = Kingsgate cinema plan WILL go ahead thanks to £7m Kirklees Council loan |url = https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/kingsgate-cinema-plan-go-ahead-19605786 |website = Yorkshire Live |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 11 January 2021}}</ref>
===Future locations=== A venue in Colchester was announced in 2020, as part of the 'Tollgate Village' development project in Tollgate West, near Stanway, Essex. The cinema was originally slated to be finished by the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/18292742.light-open-multi-screen-cinema-tollgate-village/ |title = The Light to open multi-screen cinema at Tollgate Village |website = Gazette and Essex County Standard |date = 10 March 2020 |accessdate = 19 July 2023}}</ref> In June 2021 the directors of the firm responsible for the development said that they "hope to commence building next year [2022]".<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19377008.new-plans-65m-tollgate-village-development-stanway-submitted/ | title = New plans for £65m Tollgate Village development in Stanway submitted |website = Gazette and Essex County Standard |date = 17 June 2021 |accessdate = 19 July 2023}}</ref> As of June 2023, this development was expected to go ahead, although with no clear completion date set.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23559052.colchester-areas-changed-since-year-2000/ |title = How Colchester areas have changed since the year 2000 |website = Gazette and Essex County Standard |date = 3 June 2023 |accessdate = 19 July 2023}}</ref>
==Locations== [[File:Outside of the Light Cinema in the Broadway Bradford, May 4, 2018.jpg|thumb|259x259px|The outside of the Light Cinema in the Broadway, Bradford on May 4, 2018]] {| class="sortable wikitable" |- style="background:#ececec;" ! Location ! Screens ! data-sort-type=date | Date opened ! Notes |- | Addlestone<ref name = "Addlestone opening">{{cite web|title = The Light Cinema in Addlestone opens its doors to the public |url = https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/light-cinema-addlestone-opens-doors-15254819 |website = Surrey Live |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 12 October 2018}}</ref> | 6 | 5 Oct 2018 | |- | Banbury<ref name = "Banbury opening">{{cite web |title = New cinema set to open in Banbury's town centre |url = https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/20199619.light-cinema-set-open-banburys-town-centre/ |website = Oxford Mail |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 10 June 2022}}</ref> | 7 | 10 Jun 2022 | |- | Bolton<ref name = "Bolton opening">{{cite web |title = REVIEW: The Light Cinema opens at Bolton's Market Place Shopping Centre |url = https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/14791426.review-the-light-cinema-opens-at-boltons-market-place-shopping-centre/ |website = The Bolton News |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 10 October 2016}}</ref> | 9 | 7 Oct 2016 | |- | Bradford<ref name = "Bradford opening">{{cite web |title = Popcorn at the ready: Here's when The Light cinema opens in Broadway |url = https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/16170067.popcorn-ready-light-cinema-opens-broadway/ |website = The Telegraph and Argus |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 19 April 2018}}</ref> | 6 | 11 May 2018 | |- | Cambridge<ref name = "Telegraph 2015"></ref> | 9 | 30 Jan 2015 | Venue purchased from Cineworld |- | Huddersfield<ref name = "Huddersfield opening"></ref> | 6 | 11 April 2025 | |- | New Brighton<ref name = "New Brighton opening" >{{cite web |title = New Brighton new cinema The Light gets RNLI-themed opening night |url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/new-brighton-new-cinema-light-3359435 |website = Liverpool Echo |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 8 May 2013}}</ref> | 8 | 2 Dec 2011 | |- | Redhill<ref>{{cite web |title = The Light opens new cinema and entertainment venue in Redhill |url = https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/the-light-opens-new-cinema-and-entertainment-venue-in-redhill/ |website = The Business Magazine |accessdate = 18 July 2023 |date = 20 June 2023}}</ref> | 6 | 16 Jun 2023 | |- | Sheffield<ref name = "Sheffield opening">{{cite web |title = New cinema, The Light, opens on The Moor |url = https://web.sheffieldlive.org/new-cinema-the-light-opens-on-the-moor/ |website = Sheffield Live |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 14 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Light Cinemas Sheffield |url = https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/55430 |website = Cinema Treasures |accessdate = 19 July 2023}}</ref> | 9 | 14 Apr 2017 | |- | Sittingbourne<ref name = "Sittingbourne opening">{{cite web |title = Sittingbourne sees The Light as new cinema prepares to open |url = https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/lights-camera-action-at-towns-new-cinema-247916/ |website = Kent Online |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 27 May 2021}}</ref> | 8 | 28 May 2021 | |- | Stockport<ref name = "Stockport opening">{{cite web |title = Take a look around Stockport's brand new Redrock cinema |url = https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/take-look-around-stockports-brand-13912071 |website = Manchester Evening News |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 20 Nov 2017}}</ref> | 12 | 24 Nov 2017 | |- | Thetford<ref name = "Thetford opening">{{cite web |title = A look behind the scenes at Thetford’s new cinema |url = https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/20855565.look-behind-scenes-thetfords-new-cinema/ |website = Eastern Daily Press |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 29 Nov 2016}}</ref> | 3 | 2 Dec 2016 | |- | Walsall<ref name = "Walsall opening">{{cite web |title = Light Cinema to open in Walsall next month as part of £12 million development |url = https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/light-cinema-open-walsall-next-10868119 |website = Birmingham Live |accessdate = 19 July 2023 |date = 10 Feb 2016}}</ref> | 8 | 18 Mar 2016 | |- | Wisbech<ref name = "Wisbech opening">{{cite web |title = Light Cinemas Wisbech |url = https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/46143 |website = Cinema Treasures |accessdate = 19 July 2023}}</ref> | 8 | 23 May 2014 | |}
==International expansion== ===In Europe=== After its founding in 2007, the first venues that the company opened were not in the UK. Before the opening of its New Brighton venue in 2011, The Light had opened a cinema in Bucharest, Romania in 2008, and another venue in Halle, Germany in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/neptune-hands-over-cinema-for-fit-out/ |title = Neptune hands over cinema for fit-out |website = Place North West |date = 13 June 2011 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref> The Romanian part of the company dissolved in 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06989282 |title = The Light Cinemas (Romania) Limited overview |website = Companies House |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref> and Pullinger announced that the venue in Germany would be closed in July 2021 due to financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.lightcinemas.de/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210724001716/https://www.lightcinemas.de/ |title = Light Cinemas: Home |archive-date = 24 July 2021 |website = Light Cinemas |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref>
===Saudi Arabia=== In March 2019, The Light 'made history' by being awarded an operating license to exhibit films in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was done in cooperation with the London-based cinema consultancy firm The Big Picture, of which both Sullivan and Pullinger were founding partners, and in partnership with the FAHG Saudi fashion retail group run by Fawaz Alhokair, with venues being integrated into FAHG shopping centres. The brand name used in Saudi Arabia is ''MUVI'', and it is described as Saudi Arabia's first home-grown cinema brand, founded only a year after the Kingdom lifted a thirty-five year ban on cinemas.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/uk-company-the-light-cinemas-in-conjunction-with-the-big-picture-is-awarded-one-of-few-operating-licenses-in-saudi-arabia/ |title = UK Company, The Light Cinemas, in conjunction with The Big Picture, Is Awarded One of Few Operating Licenses in Saudi Arabia |website = Celluloid Junkie |date = 21 March 2019 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref>
This sparked controversy due to the international backlash against Saudi Arabia following the government's murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. In response, Pullinger argued that the fallout from Khashoggi's murder was "for politicians to deal with", and that "Saudi Arabia represents the biggest opportunity for box office growth in the world". The Light claimed that it was one of only five companies to qualify for the Saudi government’s operating license at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.screendaily.com/news/uk-indie-multiplex-chain-the-light-cinemas-to-expand-into-saudi-arabia-/5137972.article |title = UK indie multiplex chain The Light Cinemas to expand into Saudi Arabia |website = Screen Daily |date = 26 March 2019 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref> By the end of 2021, MUVI cinemas had successfully opened 21 locations across the country, alongside investing in film distribution and film production.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.screendaily.com/features/word-of-mouth-is-driving-cinemagoing-in-saudi-says-muvi-cinemas-executive/5165901.article |title = Word of mouth is driving cinemagoing in Saudi, says Muvi Cinemas executive |website = Screen Daily |date = 10 December 2021 |accessdate = 20 July 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Major UK Cinema Chains}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Light Cinemas}} Category:Cinema chains in the United Kingdom Category:British companies established in 2007 Category:Companies based in London