Big screen adventure begins at Telford's Southwater

Those were the words of Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota as the new Cineworld Imax opened in Telford, marking the next major landmark in the current phase of the £250 million pound Southwater development.

The new cinema has 11 screens with a total of 1,800 seats, including an Imax with a wall-to-wall, floor-to-floor screen – creating 66 new jobs in the process.

Hundreds of people turned out to get a sneak peek of the new theatre at yesterday's launch event.

Earlier in the day, members of the public got their first glimpse as the cinema opened for three hours to shoppers who could walk in and watch trailers on the new screen.

Movie lovers will no longer have to travel to Birmingham to take in the Imax's giant, curved screens and enhanced sound system.

The 27ft high, 50ft wide Imax screen arrived from Canada – rolled up inside a huge rectangular wooden box.

Councillor Sahota, who attended last night's screening of Guardians of the Galaxy, said the vision for Telford was "becoming a reality".

"This Cineworld is the jewel in the crown of the Southwater development," the self-confessed film buff said. "This is great news for the people of Telford & Wrekin and I think they will be flocking to see what we have here in this cinema.

"I am sure the night life, the weekend life, will be boosted and that is what we are looking for. It is good for jobs, good for the economy and good for Telford."

Also at the launch event were Wellington residents Philip and Sally Rowles. Mr Rowles, a fire safety officer who worked on the building, said: "I think it is really nice. I have seen it from cradle to grave and I have done a few site visits and I am really impressed."

RealD 3D will bring films to life in selected screens, while others will have DBox chairs which feature subtle movements to make the action feel real.

Inside Cineworld there are also Starbucks coffee and Baskin Robbins ice cream concessions stands.

Of the screens, screen two is the largest, with 350 seats and disabled access boxes.

The cinema itself will stay open until 10pm during the week and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, which it is hoped will give Telford Town Centre a much-needed night life scene.

The entrance off Southwater Square leads into the foyer where there is a self service machines for people to pop in pick up tickets.

Cinema-goers are greeted by a screen with trailer reels so they can see which films are coming up. Escalators and lifts lead up to the second floor where the walls are painted a dark grey.

Justin Skinner, vice president of marketing for Cineworld, said: "We are very excited. This is over a year in the making. This is one of the biggest cinemas we have opened in recent years. We want to be able to deliver a great out of home experience to the people of Telford and the response has been really positive so far." This week, franchises Hungry Horse and Wildwood Restaurant have been revealed as the final two tenants for the bar and restaurant units at Southwater One.

The two newly-announced restaurants will join a Premier Inn, Zizzi's, Chimichanga's, Wagamama's, Nando's, Bella Italia, Pizza Express, Mimosa and Harvester in the £250 million development.