Free parking for filmgoers at Worksop’s new cinema

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 Bridge Street 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.

And there are high hopes that the £3 million cinema project will help to revitalise that area of the town centre.

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.”

“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.”

“Our experience from our Boston multiplex is that people who come to the cinema frequently combine this with either a shopping trip beforehand, or a meal out afterwards, leading to knock on trade for other businesses in the area.”

And it is clear that the cinema is already having a positive impact on local business.

Piccolo Espresso Bar opened in October.

“The reason I took the shop on was because of the work being done at this end of town and the cinema,” said owner Tony Brammer.

“With the investment going on I felt that even in these tough economic times it was worth taking a gamble and opening a new business.”

Tony had run his own bakery business for over 10 years, travelling to different events round the country, before opening Piccolo.

All the cakes on sale are baked on the premises and the coffee is organic and Fairtrade.

“These days cinemas tend to be located on the outskirts of town’s, so it’s great to see this in the town centre,” continued Tony.

“People who wouldn’t normally come into town will have a reason to visit. And an increase in footfall is great for all local traders.”

And once the cinema is open Tony plans to extend his hours into the early evening, to make the most of extra visitors to the town.

“This is going to help make Worksop a place that people want to visit,” he added.