Film lovers in Cheltenham will be pleased to hear that plans have been submitted for a new boutique cinema to open in the Regent Arcade.

The five-screen cinema complex will be located on the site of the old BHS outlet at the top of Cheltenham’s busiest shopping arcade. With plans for an opening in 2019, Cheltonians won’t have long to wait to experience films on the big screen. Scott Lahive, Manager of the Regent Arcade, says the new cinema will be a huge benefit to the centre of Cheltenham and the Regent Arcade. He said: “If everything goes to plan we’re very hopeful the new cinema will be opening in autumn of next year.

“The plan would be that the basement of what was BHS would become the site of the new cinema. The remaining ground floor will be developed to form spaces for restaurants and potentially new retail outlets. 

“We were really pleased with the number of applications from interested parties who wanted to move into the premises. In the coming months we hope to make an announcement detailing the cinema chain who are moving into the arcade. We’ll be in a position to announce further details as soon as the regulatory paperwork is complete.”

The new cinema will have a dramatic impact on visitor numbers to the Regent Arcade, something that Scott says is of vital importance given the current retail climate. He continued: “Cheltenham town centre is always busy so to add another exciting attraction is very exciting. The really positive thing from our point of view is the fact that footfall for the arcade will increase dramatically, which in turn benefits all of our retail properties.

“Traditionally the shopping habits of the public were very much similar to the working hours of 9-5. Nowadays that’s changed, shops are open for longer and are more flexible with their closing times. To be welcoming the new cinema to the arcade ensures many of our retail outlets will be able to open later into the evening, which means people who do work all day will still be able to visit their favourite shops as well as catch a film in the new cinema.”