Ipswich: Conversion work starts at multiplex cinema

Cineworld in Ipswich

CONVERSION work has started on turning the largest screen at the town’s Cineworld Multiplex into a state of the art IMAX cinema.

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The cinema, which opened in 1998, is having its largest makeover – and the work should be completed by the end of October.

It is not clear whether there will be other improvements at the cinema – visitors have complained about the state of some of the seats and the worn appearance of carpets which have been in place since the 11-screen multiplex opened 14 years ago.

Staff from the cinema are already being prepared for the introduction of the IMAX screen – they have been taken to see the company’s cinema at Crawley in Sussex which has already been converted.

IMAX cinemas show films on huge curved screens which allow the audience to absorb themselves in the action.

Tickets for such performances cost more than those in normal screens and many blockbusters are now filmed with a view to be shown in an IMAX cinema – the recent Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises had a special IMAX version.

Crispin Lilly of Cineworld said: “The response from our customers to our recently opened IMAX auditoriums in Crawley, Edinburgh and Sheffield has been overwhelmingly positive, and today’s announcement is a direct result of our success to date.”

Piers Button, Cineworld Ipswich general manager, added: “We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this amazing cinema experience to our customers. We can’t wait to open this screen in style with the latest Bond film, Skyfall.”

Ipswich Central chief executive Paul Clement said the news about the IMAX was a real shot in the arm for the town – and comes as Vue cinemas is proposing to develop a nine-screen complex in the Buttermarket Centre.

He said: “Cinema-goers in Ipswich will have more choice with two modern multiplexes. Ipswich will be the first place in East Anglia to have an IMAX cinema, and it is good that Cineworld want to invest so heavily in the town.

“These two developments should have a major impact on the town centre and make it a more vibrant and busier place for people to visit.”

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