At long last...

AFTER many years of waiting – Bassetlaw’s new cinema has finally arrived and is all set for its grand opening.

The eagerly-awaited Savoy Cinema on Bridge Street, in Worksop, is due to launch this Friday.

The multi-screen complex offers 3D and digital technology across six fully-air conditioned auditoriums with wall-to-wall screens.

Over the years, there have been a number of potential schemes that would have seen a cinema built in the town – including the controversial Vesuvius project to redevelop Sandy Lane into a sports and leisure centre alongside a supermarket.

The multi-million pound development would have created over 1,000 jobs but was initially defeated when Bassetlaw District Council rejected it in 2010.

Later, Bassetlaw Councillors voted for the regeneration of the former Vesuvius site on Sandy Lane for a 5,500 sq metre supermarket.

The promise of a new cinema first surfaced in January 2010 when the District Council started to seek developers for a new film complex on either Retford Road or Potter Street.

Then in December 2010, Bassetlaw councillors unanimously rubber-stamped proposals for the 968-seat Savoy Cinema development on Potter Street despite concerns being raised by English Heritage over “buried archaeological resources” as the site lies within Worksop Castle and the Grade II-listed Ship Inn.

Last month we revealed that visitors will be able to park for free when The Savoy opens.

The scheme, in partnership with Bassetlaw Council, aims to encourage residents from across the district to enjoy the new state-of-the-art multiplex.

The free parking will be close to the cinema, at both the Town Hall and Newgate Street East car parks for a maximum of four hours – giving film-lovers the chance to grab a bite to eat or shop before enjoying the latest blockbuster.

The 24-hour pay and display terminals will issue duplicate tickets, one to put in your car and the other to hand over at the box office where the cost will be deducted from the price of the film ticket.

James Collington, managing director at Savoy Cinemas, said: “We want to create an all-inclusive cinematic experience at the forefront of audio-visual technology for residents of Bassetlaw.”

“Our free parking scheme will not only encourage trips to the cinema from more rural areas, it will help support local shopping outlets and eateries by increasing footfall into the town centre which can only have a positive effect on the district as a whole.”

He added: “We expect it will help to regenerate the night time economy, leading to the opening of a number of outlets that will complement the cinema.”