Giant IMAX screen set for Blackpool

A new cinema set for Houndshill Shopping Centre in Blackpool town centre will feature one of the largest IMAX screens in the country.

The Backlot Cinema has signed on as an anchor tenant of the second phase of the shopping centre's redevelopment. It will bring 850 seats across nine screens, including a 10.8m tall screen as part of the immersive IMAX experience.

The cinema will be paired with The Backlot Diner, offering all-day dining, shakes and cocktails.

The new 22,500 sq ft Wilko home retail store will also be housed in the Phase 2 extension, which is set to create 100 jobs and bring in 1.2 million shoppers and visitors.

Blackpool Council says that work on site is progressing and on schedule. Steelworks are taking shape to build the structure that will feature IMAX with Laser technology, as well as IMAX's 12-channel sound technology.

Coun Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council said: "For the town centre to prosper we must continue to provide new reasons to attract residents and visitors and to extend the time of visits into the evening with more entertainment and leisure choices that the whole family can enjoy.

"The new multi-media cinema complex will provide something brand new for our residents combining a state-of-the-art cinematic experience but also the availability of new flexible creative spaces that many that many artists and businesses will also be able to benefit from.”

The overall scheme of £20m has been facilitated by £5m of funding from the government’s Covid-19 Getting Building Fund, following formal approval by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership in October 2020. Blackpool Council will fund the balance of the scheme through prudential borrowing.

Image shows L-R: Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council, David King, IMAX, Cllr Lynn Williams Leader of Blackpool Council, John Sullivan, Backlot Cinema