Published Wednesday, 1st February 2023

Surrey’s new entertainment venue is one step closer to opening, as Reigate & Banstead Borough Council secures more names for its flagship development in Redhill town centre and tenant fit outs begin

In a deal secured last month, The Light, has taken additional ground and first floor space in The Rise to expand its leisure and entertainment offer further. 

The Light, which is letting 43,500 square foot of space in total, has now begun its fit out for a planned opening in early summer. As previously announced, The Light will be providing a six-screen cinema, nine bowling lanes, a retro arcade, diner and bar. The additional floorspace will enable the operator to provide even more exciting and diverse leisure activities, all under one roof.

In a separate deal, the Council has also let the first of its restaurant units to the operator Loungers, who will bring its popular all-day café-bar concept to The Rise. Loungers will be taking a 4,600 square foot unit fronting the pedestrianised High Street, which will be called Posadero Lounge. Locals may know Loungers from Reigate, where it runs the Corzo Lounge. The fit out will start in February, ready for opening on Wednesday 15 March.  

The supermarket chain Tesco has also started to prepare its 3,500 square foot unit with its Tesco Express convenience store opening in early Spring. Tesco promises a great range of products, and that the new store will bring benefits to the Redhill community with food donations and Tesco’s Community Grants funding opportunities for local good causes.

New tenants connecting communities

James Morris, CEO at The Light says: “We are really excited to have started the work on bringing our newest venue to life. Opening this summer, The Light is going to be a great place for local residents to socialise together, engage in fun and challenging activities, and to experience exceptional cinema.

“The additional space we have taken has enabled us to expand our leisure offer further and alongside our nine bowling lanes, I can reveal that we will also be bringing mini golf to The Light, as well as a couple more surprise activities which will be unveiled in the coming months. We are confident The Light will become a key part of the local community and we are really looking forward to welcoming the people of Redhill and the surrounding areas to us in the coming months.”

Gemma Irwin, Community Manager at Loungers, says: “We are delighted to be bringing Loungers to Redhill.  Our Lounges strive to put community at the heart of hospitality and our teams always go the extra mile to make a difference. They are actively encouraged to connect with their communities by working with local groups, charities, organisations and businesses that are at the heart of the fabric of local life. We are very much looking forward to welcoming local residents to Posadero Lounge.”

A major milestone

Cllr Mark Brunt, Council Leader, says “The announcements of these new deals with The Light and Loungers, and the news that tenants are now beginning their fit outs, is a major further milestone in bringing The Rise to life.  The Council very much welcomes The Light, Loungers and Tesco to Redhill, and we can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors to our vibrant new leisure and entertainment venue later this year, as well as the new jobs it will bring.”

The Council is in discussion with a number of food, drink and leisure operators for the other units and will confirm details of who they are when the legal processes have been completed.

ENDS

Marketfield Way

Caption: L to R: Founder of The Light Keith Pullinger and CEO at The Light James Morris are showing Executive Member for Planning Policy and Place Delivery Cllr Richard Biggs and Council Leader Cllr Mark Brunt around in The Light’s premises at the Rise.

Marketfield Way

L to R: Founder of The Light Keith Pullinger, CEO at The Light James Morris, Council Leader Cllr Mark Brunt and Cllr Richard Biggs.