£120m Milburngate development in Durham boosts entertainment offering

Everyman Cinemas is increasing the number of its screens at Durham’s Milburngate destination.

Originally set to feature three screens, Everyman has committed to adding a fourth screen to the soon-to-be built boutique cinema.

Everyman’s agreement to open a new-build cinema at Milburngate was its first move into the North East market, which was soon followed by establishing a venue in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in a converted building in Grey Street, which opened in May 2019.

With 31 locations, Everyman is a UK cinema operator. Its venues each feature ‘unique’ cinema seating, a fully licenced bar, food, table service and digital projection and surround sound technology.

Phase One of Milburngate is being developed by a joint venture partnership between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, supported by a £120m forward funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management.

Currently under construction on the banks of the River Wear in Durham, Milburngate will feature - in addition to Everyman - a mix of premium leisure operators, such as Miller & Carter, 153 built-to-rent apartments, an office building and a 92-bed Premier Inn hotel.

Crispin Lilly, CEO at Everyman, said: “We have been very encouraged by the popularity of our venue in Newcastle and we are confident there will be the same buzz around our boutique cinema at Milburngate.

“Our venues provide an intimate and attractive space offering a diverse line up of films and events, together with quality food and drink, which guests will be able to enjoy in our expanded Milburngate cinema.”

Ben Holmes, director on behalf of Richardson, said: “The Everyman team share our vision for Milburngate to become a landmark leisure destination for the North East, and expanding its plans for their Durham boutique cinema is a real endorsement of its commitment to the area and our development.”

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “The interest in Durham as a social and leisure destination is definitely building, which is evident in Everyman’s decision to increase the number of screens at Milburngate. Their unique approach of offering guests not just a movie but a great night out is growing in popularity across the country and we are delighted that Milburngate will be bringing this to Durham”