Vue gets keys to The Rock cinema

Hammerson has handed over the 10-screen cinema at The Rock in Bury to Vue Entertainment for final fit-out ahead of this summer's opening.

The 31,000 sq ft cinema, one if the main leisure anchor tenants at the £350m development, has capacity for 1,700 viewers and boasts three 3D screens.

Previously located at Park 66 on the outskirts of Bury town centre, Vue will relocate its screens to The Rock and will anchor the leisure offering of the new development, which is on schedule to open its doors this July.

Mark de Quervain, marketing director of Vue Entertainment, said: "We are incredibly excited about the opening of our new 10 screen cinema at The Rock. Vue is committed to providing something for everyone at the new cinema, with a wide range of cinema experiences and value options. This will include super comfortable VIP seats in every screen, incredible 3D film presentation, low priced 'Kids AM' films for young families, non-film content such as live music and sport, as well as the new VueXtreme thrill-seekers experience. With such a wide choice of entertainment located in such a wonderful location at The Rock, we expect this cinema to be a massive hit for visitors from local and the wider surrounding areas."

Guy Wells, development manager for The Rock, commented: "The positive impact of bringing a cinema [back] to the centre should not be underestimated and it is fantastic to have Vue Entertainment as part of The Rock. The leisure element is a vital part of the Rock and with the continued popularity of cinema combined with Vue's latest technology, we are confident of its success."

The Rock will total 1.6m sq ft and include anchor stores Debenhams, Marks & Spencer alongside Next and River Island.

Hammerson replaced Thornfield Properties as developer of The Rock in January after the scheme's funder, Halifax Bank of Scotland, put subsidiary Thornfield Ventures into administration.