Stafford's new £6.5 million Odeon ready for big launch

The country’s first purpose-built Odeon Luxe Cinema will be throwing open its doors in Stafford next week.

The £6.5 million cinema in Bridge Street by the River Sow is set to open on Wednesday, with council bosses saying it is a ‘wonderful opportunity to put the town on the map’.

WATCH: Behind the scenes at new cinema

Leader of Stafford Borough Council, Patrick Farrington, said he hopes the opening of the cinema will draw people into the town centre and boost the local economy.

A number of Odeon Cinemas have been refurbished to Luxe standard but this is the first purpose-built one of its kind and has created 45 jobs in the area.

The first movies to be shown include Ralph Breaks The Internet, Creed II and Mary Poppins Returns.

Leader of the Council Patrick Farrington said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to put the town on the map and how exciting it is to be ahead of the rest of the country.

"It is a flagship cinema as it is the first Odeon Luxe in the country and we are delighted that it has come to Stafford. The point of it is to view films in luxury and in a comfortable environment.

"Hopefully it will attract people of all age ranges of people from youngsters to older people and families to couples.

"This is yet another development in the town which will attract visitors and other business to contribute to the local economy.

"It is by the river where there are restaurants and all sorts of things to do to make it a nice and wonderful evening for people visiting."

Construction of the cinema started in March and was due to be completed in June but there were delays due to issues with utility pipes and foundations.

It is now complete with 423 handmade, fully-reclining seats inside six state-of-the-art screens featuring surround sound.

Prices start from £10 for standard peak time screenings and £8.50 for off peak times, while tickets for iSense screenings are an extra £2.