Home to the chain’s second largest screen, luxury recliners and a prime, town centre location, the new addition has made a great impression on the town’s residents. After two years of delays, including Empire cinema pulling out of the plan, the cinema finally opened at the end of July. For general manager, Blake Harper, 38, opening a new cinema has been an exciting, and surprisingly seamless experience.
"From day one it’s been busy, busy, busy," he said. The seasoned cinema manager, who has worked in Vue cinemas in Croydon and Lakeside, has relished the chance to launch a fresh location. “For my staff members it’s all new to them, as they’ve never worked in a cinema before.
The entire team is brand new. For me and the other managers it’s been a lot of fun opening a new cinema – it’s a very rare thing to get to do,” Blake added. It’s not just the staff who have enjoyed the opening of the new cinema, it’s been a resounding success with Basildon residents too.
Blake says that nearby restaurants, including Nando’s, have also reported a boost in business following the Vue’s opening. “I know the restaurants downstairs had been waiting for this place to open. Orleto Lounge have had a lot of buzz from their customers.
I think with the cinema here now, it will hopefully draw in some more businesses.” Blake even said that he gets some residents just coming in for a look around. “We’ve got a lot of re-releases coming out; we’re reshowing all the Sta.