AS the centrepiece of Basildon’s “town centre regeneration” looks set to open its doors after years of delays, here’s the whole saga in full.

  • 2017 - Basildon Council approves plans to build a ten-screen cinema with six shops and restaurants below, as part of its “town centre regeneration programme”. 
  • January 2020 - McClaren Construction Group is awarded the development contract, after the previous contractor went into administration. 
  • July 2021 - The building is handed over to Empire Cinemas, despite the internal fit-out of the cinema remaining unfinished. 
  • February 2022 - Restaurant Orleto Lounge became the first business to open at the cinema complex.
  • October 2022 - Construction continues and the cinema is expected to open “at the end of the year” and Kaspa’s Desserts opened its doors to customers. 
  • December 2023 - Nando’s opens its restaurant at East Square, after closing its Eastgate branch.
  • July 2023 - Empire Cinemas goes into administration. 
  • August 2023 - Basildon Council recovers possession of the complex, forfeiting its lease with Empire. 
  • December 2023 - Councillor Craig Rimmer says a deal with a new cinema operator “could be done by Christmas”. 
  • February 2024 - Councillor Rimmer reveals global chain Vue is in the final stages of negotiations to take over the cinema.