Omniplex to open nine-screen cinema at Castlecourt
The Omniplex group is set to open a nine-screen cinema in the old Debenhams store in Belfast’s Castlecourt.
Director Paul John Anderson said the development will be like no other in the Omniplex portfolio, including a bar area and “super comfort” seating.
He added: “We are going to do something very special in CastleCourt. Expect to see new and never-before-seen levels of luxury, quality and service for an afternoon or night out at the cinema.
“We are incredibly excited by the project which will breathe new life into Belfast’s city centre and we aim to have it fully operational before Christmas 2022.”
Omniplex Cinema Group is one of two new anchor tenants taking over the 80,000sq ft of space vacated by Debenhams earlier this year.
The fit out and construction of the nine-screen cinema will create up to 80 jobs and the venue will employ 40 people full and part-time once fully operational .
CastleCourt centre manager Leona Barr said: “We are thrilled to confirm Omniplex as one of the two new anchor tenants in CastleCourt.
“Not only are the jobs and investment they bring to the heart of Belfast significant, they will also play a central role in revitalising the city centre.
“The high streets of cities across the UK and Ireland have been changing shape and adapting to the new desires and demands of shoppers and visitors.
“More retail with attractive and substantial leisure attractions as well as quality bars, cafes and restaurants enhances the city centre experience and CastleCourt’s offer will deliver this.”
The plans were also welcomed by SDLP councillor Gary McKeown, who told the Belfast Telegraph, it was “good news” for Belfast city centre.
“The loss of Debenhams was a major blow, coming on the back of a number of shop closures during the pandemic. However, the opening of this cinema will help increase footfall to the area and have a knock-on benefit for the economic health of this part of town,” he said.
“It’s also welcome news on the employment front, delivering job creation both during construction and after opening. Hopefully this sends out a signal that Belfast city centre is back in business, and we start to see further similar announcements over the coming months.”
CastleCourt shopping centre has reported strong performance with a dramatic increase in customer spend since reopening on 30th April. It is home to 80 retailers employing a total of 1,000 people and has defied all forecasts of a slump following the closure of anchor tenant Debenhams earlier this year.
In June it was revealed that a new restaurant and bar are among the proposals to redevelop the upper floor of the former Debenhams store as a leisure and hospitality attraction.
A public consultation on the plans was carried out over summer, and closed on August 30, with the plans now under consideration by Belfast City Council.
The proposals include: crazy golf, laser quest, indoor caving, escape rooms, a virtual reality arcade, restaurants and bars and coffee shop.
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