SCORES of people gathered for the opening of Newbury’s long-awaited cinema last night (Thursday).
Several local dignitaries, including Newbury MP Richard Benyon, town and district councillors, local retailers and members of the media attended a gala preview night, where the Jim Carrey film A Christmas Carol was screened in 3D.
The chairman of West Berkshire Council, Geoff Findlay, Newbury’s mayor Kuldip Singh Kang and chief operating officer for Vue, Steve Knibbs, cut a film reel to officially open the cinema.
Mr Findlay said: “I am sure that we can all agree that the wait has been well worth it.
“We now have a first class cinema with the very best technology and it will benefit not only Newbury town, but the whole of West Berkshire.
“This will fit in well with the Newbury Vision and our aim is to make West Berkshire an even better place to work, live and visit.”
The new £2.5m complex, which is a major element of the Newbury Vision 2025, has about 1,000 seats across its seven screens, all of which will be licensed and have Dolby Surround Sound.
Mr Benyon said: “This is very welcome and I am full of praise for everyone who has brought this together.
“It has been a Herculean effort to get it ready and I am really pleased we are here at last.
“It will bring more families into town and create more prosperity in this part of town and I think it is fantastic.”
The cinema is opening to the public today (Friday), with screening of such films as Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster 2012 and animated film Fantastic Mr Fox.

To find out what the public thinks of the new cinema, log back on to Newburytoday on Monday.