Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cinema in store..
Nine-screen theatre to replace the vacant Debenhams site at Belfast’s Castlecourt
THE former Debenhams store in Belfast city centre will be replaced by a luxury nine-screen cinema.
The Omniplex Cinema Group says the new Movie House in Castlecourt will be “something very special”.
It will include a licenced bar and super comfort seating within an “intimate and luxurious setting”.
Omniplex director Paul John Anderson said: “Expect to see new and never-before-seen levels of luxury, quality and service for an afternoon or night out at the cinema.
“We are incredibly excited by the project which will breathe new life into Belfast’s city centre and we aim to have it fully operational before Christmas 2022.”
Earlier this week, the Mirror reported that the owners of Castlecourt had submitted detailed plans for the empty Debenhams shop, which includes a coffee shop and retail units on the ground floor, cinema and family entertainment on the first floor with a bar and outdoor terrace on the second floor.
Omniplex Cinema Group is one of two new anchor tenants taking over the 80,000sqft of space vacated by Debenhams earlier this year.
The fit-out and construction of the nine-screen cinema will create up to 80 jobs. Once operational it will employ 40 people on a full and part-time basis. Castlecourt centre manager Leona Barr said the arrival of Omniplex is a significant step towards the regeneration of Belfast city centre. She added: “We are thrilled to confirm Omniplex as one of the two new anchor tenants in Castlecourt.
“Not only are the jobs and investment they bring to the heart of Belfast significant, they will also play a central role in revitalising the city centre.
“The high streets of cities across the UK and Ireland have been changing and adapting to the new desires and demands of shoppers and visitors.
“More retail with attractive and substantial leisure attractions as well as quality bars, cafes and restaurants enhances the city centre experience and Castlecourt’s offer will deliver this.”
Castlecourt shopping centre has reported strong performance with a dramatic increase in customer spend since reopening on April 30.
It is home to 80 retailers employing a total of 1,000 people and has defied all forecasts of a slump following the closure of anchor tenant Debenhams earlier this year.
The retailer shut up shop on the site in May.
Expect to see new and never-before-seen levels of luxury, quality and service RIGHT, YESTERDAY