Greater Manchester town’s new boutique cinema takes step forward with new details unveiled
Plans to bring a new boutique cinema to Trafford are a step closer to being realised. Opening in March, the venue will be run by the Mundin family, which is also behind the likes of The Savoy, in Heaton Moor, and the Northern Light, in Sale.
An application submitted to Trafford Council seeks permission to convert a unit in Stretford town centre, and reveals more about proposals for the area. Also named The Northern Light Cinema, the theatre will be located in a new unit in Pinnington Lane, where Stretford Mall once stood.
It will boast three screens, all of which will be “accessible to all”. There will also be a lounge area and foyer, ticketing office, as well as a bar for cinema-goers, with the Mundin family promising this will offer the best wine wine, local craft beer, homemade cake, fresh popcorn and cinema treats.
The venue aims to be a “warm, welcoming cultural hub for the local community”. It will show a mix of new releases, family favourites, cult classics, livestream events.
The scheme forms part of the wider Stretford Mall redevelopment, being delivered by Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works. A number of new shops have recently been announced for the town centre, offering a combination of well-known brands and local independents.
Shops and restaurants are also planned to move into the units surrounding the cinema, the cinema plans show. It is hoped that the venue will draw more visitors into the town centre, “animating” the area and increasing trade for other businesses.
“We’re not just opening a cinema — we’re building a cultural hub,” TonyMundin, founder of Northern Light Cinema, previously said. “Stretford has a vibrant community, and we’re excited to bring our service-led ethos and love of film to this fantastic neighbourhood.”
Chris Houghton, Retail and Leisure manager from Bruntwood added: “The opening of a new cinema represents a milestone in the development of Stretford town centre. We are delighted that Northern Light is opening its doors and bringing with it a fantastic experience for the local community and beyond. We know it will be hugely popular.”
Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “This is another great step in Stretford’s transformation, and the wide range of entertainment and amenities on offer to local people. We’re pleased to support this development and look forward to seeing the cinema take shape and open to the public.”