Mayor of Restormel, Jackie Bull and Managing Director of WTW Cinemas, David Williams cut the ribbon on the new £3.5 million building on Trinity Street during a ceremony attended by hundreds of local people, all eager to watch the first films to be shown.
Lucky 11 year old Suzanne Watts from Tywardreath was chosen from over 100 entries to a prize draw to start the projector on the very first film ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’.
David Williams, Managing Director of WTW Cinemas said: “The opening was a tremendously successful event and had a real buzz about it. We were absolutely delighted with the number of people that turned out to be a part of the first night and join in the celebrations. The cinema opening is a fantastic milestone for the town and we are very proud to have delivered such a state-of-the-art building to the people of St Austell for them to enjoy.”
White River Cinema is part of the £75 million town centre regeneration scheme and its completion marks phase one of the project, with the remainder of the site opening in the autumn of 2009.
Mayor of Restormel, Councillor Jackie Bull added: “It is particularly appropriate at this time of year when we are thinking about new birth and presents that we see the birth of a new era in St Austell. What a wonderful Christmas present for the town is the opening of this new state-of-the-art facility. The cinema will be of great pride to St Austell and heralds the start of the town's regeneration. Congratulations to all who have been involved - truly partnership working.”
Sandra Rothwell, Head of Regeneration for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly at the South West RDA said: “The cinema is a real boost to St Austell and the surrounding area and the South West RDA fully supports the economic benefits and local job creation this opening brings to the town. Our role is to unlock the business potential of the region and the cinema, which is a key part of the wider town centre regeneration, has been hugely important in helping to regenerate the area.”
Leader of Restormel Borough Council, Councillor Annette Egerton commented: “It was the highlight of my year to be at the opening of this magnificent new cinema. This is the first of many new businesses opening in White River Place over the next year and I look forward to 2009 bringing people back into the town.”
Details of a charity gala premiere for invited guests to celebrate the opening of the new cinema will be announced next year and the event is expected to be held in the spring. Tickets for all films showing at White River Cinema, St Austell can be purchased on-line at www.wtwcinemas.co.uk or in person at the cinema box office during opening hours.
WTW Cinemas owns and operates White River Cinema in St Austell, as well as Truro, Wadebridge and Padstow. The family-run business is hoping to develop the existing Vic Bars site in Newquay into a new four screen cinema and then refit the existing Plaza cinema in Truro, as part of its three year development plan.
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