A CINEMA is set to become one of the biggest in the country, showing up to 40 different films a day.

The Empire, at the Festival Leisure Park, in Basildon, will almost double in size by the end of the year, from 12 to 20 screens.

The venue, which opened in 1998, will have 16 big screens, an upper level, including a licensed bar, an auditorium with sound system, and four smaller screens, called studios, where arthouse and foreign films will be shown.

Much of the work will be completed by the summer, in time for upcoming blockbusters, including Shrek Forever After and Toy Story 3.

The changes will also see more 3D films being screened and the theatre becoming fully digital.

Manager Ian Duffield said: “Work is under way. When it is completed, the Empire will be one of the biggest in the country.

“We’re expanding because we are one of the busiest in the area.

“Our ticket sales have gone through the roof over the past few years.

“We’ll be able to show 40 different films throughout the day.

“We will also be the first fully digital cinema outside of London’s West End, which will be an exciting achievement.”

Two studio theatres, seating 40 people each, opened this week, and another two are set to be completed by the end of June.

Mr Duffield added: “These will largely be used to play arthouse, limited release and foreign language films.

“It means we will be able to show a much wider range of movies. Our feedback from customers shows this is what they want.”

For the blockbuster flicks, the new, huge surround sound auditorium is set to open by the summer. Additional screens will be open by the end of the autumn.

3D movie buffs will also be catered for, with more capacity for showings. Mr Duffield said: “The demand for 3D at this cinema has been absolutely staggering.”

Work on the bar area and upper level expansion should be completed early next year.

Much of the work is taking place overnight, when the cinema is closed.