Cinema to get new lease of life thanks to Manchester specialist

Manchester based refurbishment specialist Medlock FRB has landed a starring role in another cinema upgrade.

Medlock is to begin work this month on a £1m project at the Astoria in Chippenham, Wiltshire, for the family-owned Reel Cinemas.

The scheme will involve a refurbishment of the current two-screen cinema and foyer, including new premium seats.

Medlock’s team will also strip out a former bingo hall and two retail units on the ground floor and convert them into three additional screens with a new entrance, foyer and concession area.

The work will be carried out in phases, and the existing cinema will remain open throughout. The project is due to be completed by the summer.

With five screens, the Astoria will almost double in size to have 700 seats.

Reel Cinemas has 15 sites, and Medlock has previously refurbished its venue in Burnley.

Medlock has also completed projects for:

• Empire Cinemas, creating a seven-screen venue at Princes Gate, a retail and leisure development at Catterick Garrison in north Yorkshire;

• Curzon Cinemas, converting the former home of The Sheffield Banking Company into a three-screen boutique cinema, with bars, a lounge and a rooftop terrace;

• Cineworld Group, refurbishing and restoring the Phoenix Picture House in Oxford.

The total value of its cinema contracts to date now stands at more than £4m.

Steve Taylor, head of business development at Medlock, said: “We’re delighted to secure a further project with one of the country’s leading independent cinema operators.

“It will involve a major overhaul of the only cinema in the town, creating a greatly improved leisure amenity for the people of Chippenham and the surrounding area.

“Having completed various cinema projects in recent years, this is a further demonstration of our expertise and knowledge of this fast-paced and competitive industry.”

Alongside its purpose-built headquarters in Greater Manchester, the company has a 20,000 sq ft bespoke facility where it manufactures joinery, metalwork and glass products for clients.

Medlock FRB is owned by its management team and employs more than 60 staff.