Palace of escapism nearly ready for its audiences
THE distinctive, welcoming smell of popcorn may currently be absent, but step into any of the five screens and there's no mistaking that feeling of anticipation which comes as you enter a cinema.
With only one week until Haverhill's five-screen Cineworld cinema opens, work has been continuing apace.
At the time of our visit (last Wednesday) the carpets – complete with the distinctive Cineworld weave – were being laid, and instead of that popcorn aroma, there was a strong smell of paint and general 'newness'.
Steve Weiner, chief executive officer of Cineworld, said there were plenty of aspects distinctive to the Haverhill cinema – including this particular carpet design.
Leading the tour around the new site, with manager Paul Willden, Mr Weiner said the size of the site had been a constraint on the cinema's design but that no space was wasted, with the area under the biggest screen being put to use.
He pointed out the lack of ticket booths – tickets for films will be available while buying food and drinks, or from a number of self-service machines (the particular design of which is also getting its premiere in Haverhill).
Despite being held up at customs, the very comfortable-looking seats were already in place and a thorough cleaning of the site under way, in readiness for the installation of the screens – which require a spotless environment.
The screens vary in size, and height, but each has been designed to ensure an optimum viewing experience, wherever you sit, and equipped to the same standard every Cineworld cinema – whatever its size and location – boasts.
Runway-style lighting has been laid to ensure safe access and egress if needed during a film, and there was some particularly-attractive ambient lighting installed in the walls of one of the smaller screens.
The enthusiasm of everyone concerned in the build was evident and there was 100 per cent confidence the multiplex will be ready for its October 9 opening date (details of which are still closely under wraps – even Mr Weiner claimed not to know what was being planned for the first night).
Mr Willden, who relocated from a Cineworld in Stockport, said he had been overwhelmed by the support for the cinema from Haverhill people – all of the new employees have a postcode 'within walking distance' of the site.
And Mr Willden said there had been plenty of support from the town's other cinema – Haverhill Arts Centre – and that he believed the two would complement each other.
He said it was Cineworld's intention to be a part of the community – and part of the lobby area would be available for community groups to promote themselves.
The community element may be considered by some to be intrinsic to the cinema's arrival in town, funded as it was, in part, by the taxpayer.
Mr Wiener said: "The council made a deal with the property developer. The council made a contributiontowards the cost but I don’t know how much that was.”
And he was full of praise for St Edmundsbury Councill saying it was ‘very pro-active’.
Despite the economic downturn, cinema visits continue to rise.
Mr Wiener said the reason was escapism: “Going to the movies is pure escapism. When you go to the movies, you shut off from your day-to-day problems.”
Haverhill’s own slice of fantasy is due to open next Thursday.
Keep reading your Echo for more details.
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Weather for Haverhill
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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