A LONG-delayed cinema is set to open this summer – but doubts remain over whether the deadline will be met.

The Basildon East Square Empire cinema was initially due to open in February 2022, but the date has been repeatedly pushed back.

Council bosses said the war in Ukraine had delayed the delivery of projection equipment last year.

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And as multiple opening dates came and went, Empire remained silent.

The firm yesterday issued a statement signalling its intent to open this summer, claiming power supply issues had caused the latest delays.

“We’ve been here before, so I’ll believe it when I see it,” councillor Kerry Smith, leader of the Independent Group, said.

“First it was the war in Ukraine, then it was issues with the flooring and now power supply issues, we've really seen it all at this point.”

The Nethermayne councillor added: “If it’s open by Christmas I’ll be amazed, let alone summer.”

The cinema forms part of a flagship £25 million project to regenerate Basildon town centre.

The complex featuring six (soon to be seven) restaurant units – Orletto Lounge, Nando’s, and Kaspas Desserts currently occupy three of the units with the council set to split one of the remaining units in two to accommodate two new “big name” restaurants.

Councillor Craig Rimmer, responsible for regeneration, said: “I know the residents of Basildon have waited a long time for this exciting project to come to fruition, and the unavoidable delays Empire have faced are unfortunate.

“I look forward to Empire Cinemas opening their doors at the earliest opportunity this summer.”

Empire says it has appointed a management team for the cinema and will be reaching out to prospective workers who attended a recent recruitment day to start offering jobs soon.

An Empire spokesman said: “Unfortunately, there have been a number of delays, as previously reported. These delays have had a detrimental effect on the schedule of works, meaning that we have not been able to complete our final fit-out.

“We will back on site shortly once UK Power Networks have resolved issues with the provision of permanent power supply to the building.

“Empire Cinemas apologises for these delays to our launch, which have been caused by factors out of our control – but look forward to welcoming guests in summer 2023.”