20th anniversary of Vue cinema in York (From York Press)

20th anniversary of Vue cinema in York

3:04pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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VUE Cinemas will mark this week’s 20th anniversary of York’s multiplex cinema at Clifton Moor by introducing VIP seating in all 12 screens.

“Our guests will now have two choices: normal seats and prime-position VIP leather seats with allocated seating at a premium price,” says general manager Rob Parker. “We’re looking to introduce 290 VIP seats and the work will be completed by the end of October.”

This will be the latest innovation at one of the longest-running multiplexes in Britain, following on from the introduction of 3D screenings in one screen last year with at least two more to follow by the end of 2010.

“As a company, Vue are very focused on the visitor experience and we want to create an environment where families are happy and they get a service that exceeds expectations,” says Rob. “That’s why we’re investing in 3D, digital projection and VIP seating as important innovations.”

While the emphasis remains primarily on showing the major American and British film releases, Rob maintains the programming can accommodate arthouse films too. “If the product is there, we do support all aspects of cinema. We do the blockbusters, we do some arthouse movies and we’ll have a Bollywood movie next week, My Name Is Kham, which we’re showing on Monday evening for two screenings,” he says.

Rob believes the Clifton Moor cinema retains an important role in York. “Even in the bad winter weather people still came, and we know we are a big part of York’s community as we’re such a big cinema.

“We provide high-quality entertainment and comfort, and it’s an exciting place to be on the opening weekend of the big films.”

Fact file

* The Warner Cinemas multiplex opened at Clifton Moor, York, at a cost of £5 million on Friday, March 16 1990.

* Work began on the eight-acre site in November 1988 when producer David Puttnam (now Lord Puttnam) attended the turf-cutting ceremony.

* It was only the third cinema site to be developed by Warner Bros in Britain, following Bury in June 1989 and Newcastle in December 1989.

* At the time, the president of Warner Brothers International Theatre Company, Salah M Hassanein, described the York cinema as “probably the most modern cinema complex in the UK” with its 12 screens, 3,066 seats, games room, computerised ticket system, no smoking policy and the world’s most advanced sound system, plus 800 free car-parking spaces.

* At the Open Day preview on March 15, there were free film screenings all day of Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, Batman, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Rain Man, The Mission, Working Girl, The Last Emperor and Twins. TV personality Philip Schofield, from Going Live, performed the reel-cutting ceremony.

* During its 20 years, the multiplex has carried three titles, Warner Cinemas, Warner Village and Vue Cinemas, since a change of ownership in May 2003.

* The cinema has undergone external and foyer re-designs; the video games room made way for a Ben & Jerry café and blue sofa seating last June, but the format of 12 screens remains.