The Northern Light Cinema Stretford

The Northern Light Cinema Stretford is the seventh cinema from the Manero family who specialise in running independent boutique venues across the North West and Midlands.

This family-run venture is a world away from your nearest multiplex. Local cinema like this makes movies more accessible (I’m currently lining up my third visit in as many weeks) but it also feels like a luxury and an indulgence, despite being much better value than the major chains.

There are only three screens but each one is done out with real panache: spacious, comfortable velvet seating; miniature sofas for two; luxury seating with romantic lamps making the cinema a proper date night experience once again.

It feels like a community space not a corporate behemoth because you can take in a coffee in a proper cup or share a bottle of wine.

Given its location in Stretford, the programming is a wise mix of family-friendly films, big releases and artsier offerings. Special events range from screenings with director Q&As, sellout screenings of arthouse classics with a live soundtrack, breakfast screenings with bakery goods and pizza screenings from Wood Fire Smoke.