Cinema and leisure development coming to shopping centre

Work on the long-awaited Kingsgate development in the centre of Huddersfield begins this month.Supported by Kirklees Council, developer WD Kingsgate will be making major changes to the shopping centre. It will be bringing cinema and leisure activities to this destination, alongside the existing shops.Work to redevelop the 90,000 sq ft, former House of Fraser store is due to start shortly, with a target opening date for the complex of September 2024.The cinema and leisure proposition will be operated by The Light, which already operates 12 other venues across the country.The Light will offer six state-of-the art cinema screens and 10 bowling lanes, alongside a variety of other leisure activities and food offerings which will be revealed in the run up to the opening.Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We are committed to helping businesses thrive in Kirklees and I am pleased that the council has worked very closely with WD Kingsgate to help them to deliver this scheme.“Kingsgate is a key destination within the town centre, and the redevelopment will complement the existing shops and become an important family-friendly leisure destination.“The developer’s vision for the project is in line with our own Blueprint ambitions for the town centre and will help create the perfect mix of retail, culture and leisure.”Peter Everest, of WD Kingsgate, said: “I am grateful for the council’s support in delivering this scheme. We are excited about bringing a high-quality cinema in to Huddersfield town centre alongside a variety of other food and leisure outlets.“Our redeveloped centre will create a new destination within the town centre that gives the opportunity to shop, eat and see the latest films all within a stone’s throw of the other planned town centre developments.”Keith Pullinger, founder of The Light, added: “We are thrilled to be opening in Huddersfield and offering the residents a great place to engage in fun activities and experience exceptional cinema.“Our spaces are known and loved for offering somewhere to bring friends and family together, providing entertainment whatever the occasion.”