Work restarts on cinema extension

Eureka Park’s Cineworld opens for the first time since Covid-19 lockdown

Construction of a long-awaited IMAX extension has restarted as Cineworld bosses begin to welcome back film fans.

Work at the Ashford site on the Eureka Leisure Park was paused due to the coronavirus lockdown just weeks after contractors moved onto the land.

But the construction team has now returned to the cinema, which showed its first film in more than four months on Friday afternoon.

Cineworld says it is implementing a range of safety measures to allow filmgoers to return to its venues.

Social distancing measures are in place across all areas, with an updated booking system that allows friends and family to sit together while ensuring a safe distance between customers from different households.

Film start and end times are also being staggered to reduce crowds in foyers and corridors, while additional cleaning is being carried out between films.

Cineworld had previously announced it planned to begin screenings from July 10, but pushed back its reopening date in June.

When complete, the Ashford IMAX extension will also feature a lesser-known 4DX screen.

Movie fans will sit in high-tech motion seats which will move in synchronisation with the film, adding wind, rain, scent and other effects in line with the action on screen.

Available in both 2D and 3D, the 4DX technology was developed in South Korea and reached Britain in 2015 when it arrived in Milton Keynes.

In 2018, Cineworld opened a 136-seat 4DX auditorium in Leicester Square.

The Eureka Park development also includes two new restaurants either side of Pizza Hut one in the cinema extension and another separate unit.

Ashford Borough Council approved the scheme in 2016, which also features a reworked entrance to the existing Cineworld, as well as tweaks to the car park.

Bosses initially had permission for three new screens, but lowered that to two in 2018.

They also plan to refurbish the 12 existing screens at the Ashford site, which first opened in 1999.

■ Are you looking forward to the arrival of IMAX and 4DX? Email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Work has restarted on the long-awaited Cineworld extension, which is pictured top right in an artist’s impression

Two restaurants will be built either side of Pizza Hut as part of the development, which was approved in 2016