Preston’s new eight-screen cinema in the heart of the city is taking shape.

The multi-million pound Arc Cinema is part of the Animate development on the site of the former Indoor Market.

Update: The Arc Cinema is now open, see everything you need to know

Part of the Arc cinema group who are independently owned and operate a number of cinemas in towns and suburbs of cities across England and Ireland – the final work is frantically taking place.

Read more: Taco Bell to open at Animate this month with eateries to continue opening run until May

Constructors are fitting out the cinema ready to hand it over to Arc next week for a final blitz and training of staff ahead of opening for a VIP launch night on Thursday 20 February before the public opening on Friday 21 February during half-term.

The cinema itself, located near the city’s Market Hall, is creating more than 25 jobs and is to include the chain’s Hypersense premium screen experience.

The largest cinema screens will hold up to 200 movie fans at a time.

Mark Gallagher of The Arc cinema group told Blog Preston: “We’re working hard to ensure we’re all ready to go. The majority of our existing cinemas are out of town so to be in the heart of a city is fantastic – similar to our set up in Cork.

“A lot of the details, like ticket prices, are being finalised and we’ll be making all that information available to movie fans soon.

“I’m really heartened by the comments and reaction we’ve already had from the people of Preston and it’s clear people are very interested in having a cinema back in the city centre.”

Blog Preston’s tour of the building included seeing the accessibility features being put in – the cinema has a lift up from the ground floor and is then all on one level.

A Changing Places toilet is being installed and the cinema group has subtitled screenings weekly and audio-loop induction systems in every screen as standard. Mr Gallagher said they were also currently testing new technology that may enable glasses for anyone who needs subtitles on a film-by-film basis.

Mr Gallagher said: “It’s very important to us the cinema is accessible to everyone – regardless of ages and disabilities.”

Free parking for cinema-goers has been confirmed, with a three-hour time limit, something Mr Gallagher said is being set in conjunction with the Animate operators and the city council.

He said: “We are taking that away to look at it to see what can be done as if you’re watching a very long film or special screening that is going to be close to the limit. Or if you’re going for a meal at one of the outlets within Animate.”

No price-tiers have been confirmed for The Arc Cinema in Preston but Mr Gallagher said it would follow their other models of a set price for standard screens and then an enhanced rate for the Hypersense screens.

He said family-friendly screenings were being planned for weekend mornings and at other times.

The foyer area of the cinema is being fitted out and the popcorn available will be freshly roasted on site.

See pictures below from inside the cinema building

As The Arc prepares to open, look back at more than 100 years of cinema history in Preston and also we explore whether the new cinema will compliment or compete with existing cinemas in the city.

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