New cinema set to open

The £4.5 million cinema - which is due to create more than 100 jobs - has what was termed ‘a soft opening’ today (Wednesday) at 7.30pm.

However, the official opening will take place on Friday - with the finishing touches taking place over the next few days.

Constructed on the former Irish Road Motors site at Highfield Heights the Omniplex facility will boast eight screens with a giant ‘MAXX’ screen.

It is the latest development for Omniplex, which has numerous cinemas both north and south, including at Market Street in Armagh, the Quays Shopping Centre in Newry and Lisburn.

Around 35 people will be employed in the cinema itself.

The development also includes three new restaurants and up to 65 new posts are being created there.

However, owner Paul Anderson is still keeping tight-lipped on the names of the proposed restaurants.

There will be a total of 415 parking spaces for visitors to the complex.

It has been a quick turnaround for the development, as plans for the major complex had only been lodged for approval last July.

In addition to the former car showroom, it also occupies a site which previously housed a charity shop and youth activity centre.

The finishing touches are now being put to the impressive complex, according to Omniplex.

The MAXX cinema in Craigavon will be the third of its kind in Omniplex cinemas in Ireland with Newry and Rathmines boasting the other two.

The development has moved quickly through the planning process since the Dublin-based firm Omniplex took over ownership of the land from Portadown firm Turkingtons who had originally owned and applied for planning permission for a cinema.