John Sullivan, Future of Town Centres

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The Future of Town Centres - 27th Nov 2013

Can a Cinema

regenerate a

Town Centre?

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Introduction

John Sullivan

• Head of Consulting at dcinex UK Ltd,

Director at The Light Cinemas

• Previously Head of Development for

Warner Village and consultant for Vue

• Developed cinemas in the

UK, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Romania, South

Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand

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What we do

Dcinex

Europe’s largest provider of cinema services:

• Digital and Satellite Equipment

• Content

• Consulting Services

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What we do

Dcinex Consulting

Gives specialist advice and support services to:

• Property Owners

• Local Authorities

• Leisure Operators

• Investors

• Cinema Operators

• Shopping Centre Asset Managers

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Clients

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The changing face of cinema

• UK will be 100% digital by the end of 2013

• 35mm will be switched off

• The model has changed

• Now cinemas are more flexible

• New product available

• Event cinema

• Hospitality and new offers

• Social and cultural hubs for town centres

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Case Studies – New Brighton

Creation of Marine Point: a mixed-use scheme to

regenerate a seaside resort

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Case Studies – New Brighton

Faded seaside resort

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Case Studies – New Brighton

Core research

• Ascertained cinema going appetite for Wirral population

• Identified who was going to cinema and where they

were

going

• Identified who were not going to cinema and why not

• Ascertained admission level potential for NB cinema

• Our forecast 270,000+ admissions

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Case Studies – New Brighton

• Neptune Development to regenerate the seafront

• Anchored by Morrisons

• Plus Travel Lodge & The Light Cinemas

• Biggest hurdle was attracting restaurants and a Casino

user

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Case Studies – New Brighton

• Cinema success created the footfall and demand the F&B

operators needed

• Now a successful destination

• Attracts local residents and visitors from the whole Wirral

and beyond

• Now boasts 9 successful F&B operators

• Kick started development alongside (Portofino &

Wheatherspoons etc.)

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New Brighton - now

A highly successful leisure destination

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Case Studies – Oldham

Stimulating regeneration and development through the

addition of digital cinema

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Case Studies – Oldham

• Oldham Borough Council were looking to regenerate

the town centre

• Culture and leisure key to that regeneration

• Largest UK town with no cinema

• Options of out of town or center locations

• Use of existing historic buildings

• Possible integration with other existing cultural entities

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Case Studies - Oldham

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Case Studies - Oldham

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Case Studies – Oldham

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Will a cinema regenerate a town centre?

Yes and No

• Not all situations require the same solution

• Bigger is not necessarily better

• Cinemas do not create a location on their own

• Cinemas will help strengthen a good location but will often

fail in a poor location (e.g. Grants, Croydon & Vue

Birkenhead)

• Core research and understanding of the cinema going

potential for a market is essential

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The changing face of cinema - examples

Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury

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The changing face of cinema - examples

Ritzy, Brixton

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The changing face of cinema - examples

Corner House, Nottingham

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The Fidelity Swap

John’s slide

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The Fidelity Swap

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Increasing Convenience drives increasing Fidelity

The Fidelity Swap

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New Models / New Markets

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New Models / New Markets

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New Models / New Markets

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In Summary

Cinemas

• Are changing

• Boxes are out

• Can trigger regeneration with the right mass,

not on their own

• Can also solve issues with existing buildings

• Create social and cultural hubs

• Can be a multi media resource (conferences, live theatre, film

festivals etc.)

• The best is yet to come!

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Thank you…

Ask away