Name of Wolverhampton's new independent cinema revealed
The name of a new independent cinema in Wolverhampton's Grade II listed Chubb Building has been revealed.Lockworks Cinema is taking over the space that was previously The Light House, an independent cinema and arts venue which closed in 2022 after 35 years.The council-owned space will be run by independent commercial operator PDJ, which is converting it from a two-screen cinema to a "state-of-the-art" four-screen offering, City of Wolverhampton Council said.PDJ chose the new name in tribute to the building's heritage, as it was once the headquarters of Chubb Locks.
Redevelopment works are ongoing, and the cinema is on course to open to the public ahead of the school summer holidays, the firm said.It is also recruiting locally for three permanent and 20 part-time jobs.PDJ already runs cinemas in Worthing, Kings Lynn and Lytham St Annes, and has reopened the former Empire in Walthamstow as Forest Cinemas and Sutton Coldfield as the Royal Cinema.
PDJ and the council are making a £2m joint investment in the "critical" refurbishment and have entered into a 30-year lease.The council says the new-look venue is predicted to attract up to 130,000 visitors a year to the city centre and boost the local economy by half-a-million pounds annually.
James Jervis, director at PDJ Management, said he could not wait to "throw open the doors"."We are absolutely delighted with the progress so far on the site," he added.Authority leader councillor Stephen Simkins said the refurbishment would provide "an exciting, affordable luxury offer in our city centre" that would enhance the existing arts, culture and entertainment scene.
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