Town’s first cinema in 39 years preparing to open, lockdown rules permitting

The first cinema in Skelmersdale for 39 years is set to open at the Concourse Shopping Centre on Monday, May 17, with a classic line-up of films.

Ultra Star Cinema is planning to open in the Lancashire town if the Government guidelines, which currently state that indoor pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues can reopen from that date, do not change.

The two-screen theatre is being billed as an affordable experience, with tickets averaging £5 and competitively priced food and drinks when it is fully up and running.

Because there are no newly released films available until July, it will screen classic movie favourites from the past 40 years and there will be a limited food and drinks menu.

Asif Sahil, managing director of Ultra Star Cinema, said: “I’m so excited that just over a year since we started construction work to transform part of the Concourse Shopping Centre into a modern cinema that we are finally going to be able to welcome guests.

“We’ll be limiting customers to 75% capacity but will keep that under review and because there is 1.5 metre spacing between rows, we can guarantee plenty of room for everyone.

“We’ll be showing some fantastic retro films until July, when we expect a full programme to be available to us and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone.”

Each 125-seat auditorium is fitted with comfy, Italian leather high-back chairs, to create a luxury feel with additional legroom.

Andrew Barrett, retail director at LCP, which manages the shopping centre on behalf of the Skelmersdale Limited Partnership, said the opening of the cinema was an exciting prospect for the town.

“We know people have waited a long time for this and we are pleased to have helped deliver this fantastic new leisure offer for the community,” he said.

“This will be an exciting new chapter for the Concourse Shopping Centre and we are confident the cinema will be a significant draw for families and people of all ages.”