BUSINESS owners in Basildon's town centre hope the long awaited opening of the Vue cinema can provide a much needed "boost" to the area.

Traders in the area say they hope the cinema proves a massive success and brings more footfall to the town centre.

Claire Evans, owner of The Craft Shed, says the opening brought in returning customers she hasn’t seen “for ages.”

She said: “It’s great we finally have something new in the town centre. Hopefully it can be a huge success especially as it’s opened at a really good time as the holidays are about to kick off.

“Hopefully it will bring a variety of people here. There’s been people come in that we haven’t seen for ages but they’ve gone to the cinema. Hopefully we have some returning customers and plenty of new ones as well.”

Jefy Susan, owner of cafe Pep’s, hopes the market can capitalise on the opening and “attract more people.”

She said: “We have been here four months and it’s nice to see it finally open.

“Hopefully it will help traders in the market to attract more people who can come to have a nice meal here after their movie.

“I think it will be a good boost for all of us.”