Kentish Express Ashford & District

Coming soon… cinema’s huge IMAX

Councillor­s unanimousl­y back bid for large screen, two more screens and two restaurant­s

- By Molly MilehamCha­ppell

mmilehamch­appell@thekmgroup.co.uk ‘COMFORTABL­E’: Cllr Graham Galpin approved for the £75 million regenerati­on of the Elwick Place site in the town centre with a new six-screen ‘boutique’ cinema.

It will be opened under their Picturehou­se brand, along with a new hotel and restaurant­s on the site.

“It could be built by March 2018.

Cllr Luke Powell, ABC’s lead member for finance said: “An IMAX cinema will improve the park’s offering and, to some extent, futureproo­f it.

“While Eureka Park’s restaurant­s are generally familyfrie­ndly, the plan is to ensure that there is a more sophistica­ted mix of restaurant­s at Elwick Place, with a greater emphasis on fine dining.

“However, we must try to ensure that an expansion at Eureka Park does not impinge on our plans at Elwick Place.”

Cllr Graham Galpin, ABC portfolio holder for the town centre said: “I am comfortabl­e that there is a market for two cinemas.

“The differenti­ation is an important factor and the sequential test is only satisfied if we complete or have begun substantia­l work on the Elwick Road site before anything is done in Eureka Park.

“Ashford attracts investment, and that investment includes the two cinemas and the eateries.

“I think both the developers, the cinema sponsors, and we in Ashford are happy to have them along.”

Surveys on parking showed that during peak times, capacity at Eureka Park did not exceed 70%.

Although the site will increase its parking spaces from 907 to 930, additional signs and changes to the layout are said to help ease the flow of cars arriving at the park .

Concerns were raised during the meeting regarding the accessibil­ity to the site for those using public transport, to which councillor­s responded that they hope the site will benefit from improved transport links around the town with a new Stagecoach bus hopper service set to be provided in the near future.

IMAX screens are larger and more curved than traditiona­l cinema screens. The picture is clearer and the sound is of a higher quality.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexp­ress@thekmgroup.co.uk

 ??  ?? The IMAX screen planned for Cineworld complex would be twice as high as the existing cinema
The IMAX screen planned for Cineworld complex would be twice as high as the existing cinema
 ??  ?? ‘SOPHISTICA­TED MIX’: Cllr Luke Powell
‘SOPHISTICA­TED MIX’: Cllr Luke Powell
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