FRESH images reveal how the interior of the new town centre 10-screen cinema could look ahead of its opening next spring.

Once complete, the complex in East Square, Basildon will welcome more hundreds of film fans with the latest movies, boating luxury seating and lounge areas.

New images from Empire Cinemas provide a first look at the designs for some of the interior spaces at the cinema.

The 10-screen Empire cinema, in which the largest screen has a 500-person capacity, is the flagship building of Basildon Council’s £25 million East Square development.

Councillors and senior officers of Basildon Council joined representatives from construction contractor McLaren to Empire Cinemas as the site was formally handed over ahead of Spring 2022 opening.

Anthony Hedley, chairman of the regeneration and economic development committee said: “Now the majority of work will move inside it’s exciting to get a glimpse of what the new spaces will look like. There’s a real luxury feel to these spaces.

“We want East Square to become a real destination of choice for residents, and this complex will be a place where residents can shop, dine and see the latest films.

McLaren have done a great job creating an iconic building for Basildon town centre and it is great to see the East Square scheme coming together.”

The East Square cinema and restaurants scheme is being led by Basildon Council and will see the creation of a night-time economy and dozens of jobs for local people.

Basildon Council has already announced that Loungers – a popular café and bar chain – will become the first restaurant to join the new East Square scheme.

Work will shortly begin on the Loungers site, one of six units breathing new life into Basildon town centre.

Council bosses say hospitality, comfort and familiarity remains at the core of Loungers’ offering, driven by an independent culture and focus on the local community.

Loungers, which operates 172 branches across England and Wale, describes itself as a café/bar combining elements of restaurants, British pub and coffee shop culture.

Basildon Council claims the cinema will feature the biggest screen outside of London’s Leicester Square.