A NEW cinema under construction next to The Broadway shopping centre in Bradford will open by Easter next year, bosses have now confirmed.

The six-screen 780-seat cinema on Broadway had been scheduled to open this winter, and while construction work will be completed this year, the opening has been pushed into spring next year.

Operator The Light has taken the decision based on other cinemas it is developing.

Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, said: “Construction on The Light cinema complex is currently due to be completed in late November, with a tentative opening planned for Easter 2018.

“The opening of The Light in Bradford has been rescheduled. Timings were revised slightly by The Light to co-ordinate with new openings elsewhere in the country.”

The scheme on Broadway involves transforming an existing row of shops into a boutique cinema, restaurants and cafes and adds 40,000 sq ft to the shopping centre development.

Work started to clear the area for construction in August last year, stripping back the building to a steel frame, ready for the redevelopment to begin.

A main contractor for the £4.1 million project was announced in March.

Mr Ward added: “Discussions on restaurants and other retailers within the complex are still ongoing, and we hope to be able to make announcements in early January 2018.”

So far Gourmet Burger Kitchen is the only firm to have confirmed it is signed up to take one of the four restaurant units within the new development.

The chain has also applied for a licence to sell alcohol from 10am to midnight seven days a week, and to play music and serve late-night refreshments until 12.30am each day.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, housing, planning and transport, said: “The Light cinema and the new restaurants that will go with it will be a fantastic addition to Bradford and continue the regeneration that has taken place in the city centre over the last few years. I’m sure it will be worth the wait.”

The cinema and restaurant development is being built at units 16 to 20 Broadway.

When complete it will create more than 100 jobs.