Reel Cinema Set To Get a Revamp

By Lois_Avery | Tuesday, October 06, 2009, 11:14

Chippenham's Reel Cinema is set to get its first makeover in 70 years.

The owners of the two screen cinema, on Marshfield Road, have admitted that it is time for a revamp in order to keep their customers coming back.

The work will signal the biggest changes to the cinema since it was built in May 1939 and although no one will put an exact figure on the renovation it is likely to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Duty manager Hannah Cooke said the massive overhaul of the cinema is long overdue.

She said: “The cinema does look tired and tatty and people have high expectations of cinemas and want them to be big, clean and sparkly.

“We want to give the people in Chippenham something to stay in the town for and not shoot off to Bath or Swindon. "

Cinema bosses have now submitted planning applications to Wiltshire Council for the interior changes they are hoping to make to the building.

Reel Cinemas took over the lease of the cinema, formerly the Astoria, in 2007 and have since ploughed money into the building by upgrading the seating, heating and interior.

Re-post Write a story

Ads by Google

Comments

Sad, but I guess your comments are true indeed... that's a real shame to read.

I moved here from Kent 4 years ago, I chose the town because it has so much going for it locally and its key position in the country. I think Chippenham is a fantastic place to work and live. I'll whole heartedly support all local businesses and events, even though I made my living from the internet for many years, I shop locally to support this town and its people and would love to see investment for the town.

By martynf65 at 13:10 on 11/01/10
Report
@martynf65 is to be congratulated for his commitment to this cinema but his strategy is flawed. This cinema is frankly an utter disgrace. Like @martynf65 I have supported it so much over many years for the same reasons but just this year have been trekking to the Odeon in Bath because it was worth paying more for the experience and the cleanliness - i.e. the floors and seats aren't sticky and uncomfortable. It is about value not price. We need a decent cinema in Chippenham and until the greedy owners of Reel got hit in their pockets by people withdrawing their support, they'd have done nothing. The fact that this is the first revamp in 70 years (although more like 170) says it all. The place should be condemned anyway, it's an eyesore and a Cinema & Bowling type complex (like they have at Shaw Ridge in Swindon) should be built where it is accessible to all with free parking..maybe off the A4, or at Stanley Park vicinity or Bumpers Farm. This town is worth investing in...it's good business.

By jims_dad at 09:22 on 22/10/09
Report
FANTASTIC!!! my kids, my wife and I make as much use of this as possible to help keep it in business. This is fantastic news!!

By martynf65 at 17:33 on 20/10/09
Report