Film-lovers flock to the official opening of Cineworld Ely

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer, councillors Anna Bailey and Bill Hunt, SE Cambs MP candidate Lucy Frazer and Cllir Lis Every at the opening of Cineworld Ely. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The red carpet outside Cineworld Ely was treaded by almost 200 of the city’s big names for the official opening of its new multi-screen complex – the city’s first major cinema since the closure of The Rex Theatre – at the Ely Leisure Village.

Moviegoers were treated to a showing of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, which stars Jude Law and Charlie Hunham, but also a performance from King’s Ely’s Barbers acapella group before the film began.

The six-screen cinema, which opens to the public tomorrow (Friday May 12) will be run by manager Matt Shaw, who says he is delighted with the reaction it has received from the public so far.

John and Maxine Murphy of Arbuckles with the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, at the opening of Cineworld Ely. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

“We’ve had a lot of positive interest from the local community,” he said,

“Social media has been fantastic and the general feel is that it could be good for Ely and everyone is very positive about it.”

The opening of the cinema has created 30 jobs and the new Cineworld Ely team is ready and raring to welcome movie-lovers in Ely, according to manager Matt.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Ely and councillors Josh and Bill Hunt at the opening of Cineworld Ely. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

“We almost felt like filming the staff the first time they came in because of their reactions to seeing the cinema,” he said.

“They’re itching to start in terms of letting our customers in and speaking to them.

“I’m incredibly happy with the team I’ve recruited and the way they have presented themselves and how they have been interacting with the people of Ely already. It’s very promising.”

Cllr Lis Every, Tim Deacon of Turnstone Estates and Cllr Richard Hobbs at the opening of Cineworld Ely. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Among those in attendance at the grand opening were Mayor of Ely, Councillor Ian Lindsay, and newly elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, who cut the ribbon – or film reel – before the evening’s film began.

• Booking is now open at www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/ely.

The interior of Cineworld, Ely, which opens to the public on May 12. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

Almost 200 people attended the official opening of Cineworld Ely on May 10. PHOTO: Cineworld (Image: Archant)

Turnstone director Tim Deacon, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer and Cineworld chief operating officer Matthew Eyre cut the ribbon at Cineworld Ely. PHOTO: Cineworld (Image: Archant)

Staff at the new Cineworld at the Ely Leisure Centre. PHOTO: Cineworld (Image: Archant)

Cineworld Ely manager Matt Shaw, Mayor of Ely Cllr Ian Lindsay and Cineworld chief operating officer Matthew Eyre. PHOTO: Cineworld (Image: Archant)