Big names coming to Banbury as part of Castle Quay expansion

Banbury's CQ2 development that is scheduled for completion in 2018 NNL-170321-092247001

The developer behind the £35m investment into Castle Quay 2 (CQ2), Hawkstone Properties, has revealed most of the tenants moving into extension, which will include an eight-screen cinema, supermarket, hotel and six restaurants.

The 1,300-seat multiplex will be run by The Light Cinema, Lidl is occupying the a 30,000 sq ft supermarket while Premier Inn is opening a 117-bedroom hotel and restaurant. Four of the six canal-side restaurants will filled by Zizzi, Nando’s, Handmade Burger Company and Chiquitos, with two more yet to be unveiled, The development will also provide an additional 240 car parking spaces for the town centre.

Cllr Barry Wood, leader of Cherwell District Council, welcomed the news.

He said: “This project has been a long time coming for Banbury and will breathe new life into the town centre. For years Banbury has been calling for a multiscreen cinema and since the closure of Somerfield in 2007 has been without a town centre supermarket.

“This development will address both of those shortages while the addition of new restaurants and a hotel will create a thriving town centre for visitors to enjoy during the day as well as long into the evening.”

Cameron Murray from Aberdeen Asset Management, which is behind the scheme, said; “We’ve been working on this complex project for a number of years, and are delighted that we can now start putting names to the food store, cinema, hotel and restaurants units.

“These are well known names and new entrants to the town which will offer a huge amount of variety for existing and new visitors to Banbury. With over £35 million being invested into this project, we believe it will have a positive benefit on the whole town centre, as well as Castle Quay Shopping Centre.”

Keith Pulling, CEO of The Light Cinemas Ltd said: “The Light chose Banbury as a developing town, currently without a modern cinema offering. The Light will be a premium cinema experience with a commitment to local community engagement, showing a broad range of films and events to appeal to all age groups.”.

The final plans have now been submitted to Cherwell District Council, and it is hoped CQ2 will be fully open by Christmas 2018.