The multiplex cinema at Coppins Bridge in Newport first opened its doors on 4th August 2000 – 25 years ago today.
The new multiplex boasted 12 screens, 1,850 seats and the latest Dolby surround sound.
When Cineworld opened, it was the only cinema in Newport, as the Picturedrome Cinema on the High Street had closed in February of that year. There were 2 further cinemas operating on the Island at the turn of the millennium – the Commodore in Ryde (which is still in operation) and the Screen de Luxe in Lake, which closed in the month after its Newport rival began screening films.
However, the multiplex came close to not being able to open on the date scheduled. Building inspectors tested the fire alarms on that afternoon and phoned a special licensing session at 16:00 after tests on the fire alarms had been completed before the complex was declared safe to open.
Problems for the new multiplex continued the following week when hundreds of cinema staff and customers – together with the staff and customers of Chicago Rock Cafe and Pizza Hut – were forced to abandon the building when an electrical fault set off the fire alarms.
The first films to be shown at the multiplex included The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Mission Impossible 2, High Fidelity, Chicken Run, Gladiator and Toy Story 2. Some 25 years later and we’re now on Mission Impossible 8 and on the verge of Toy Story 5.
The original prices for cinema tickets were £4.70 for adults and £3.30 for children and OAPs. Saturday movies for juniors cost £1. An adult ticket now will set you back as much as £13.99.
But for how much longer will the county town retain its sole cinema? Reports in 2023 and 2024 suggest that Cineworld Isle of Wight is under serious threat of closure…
Streaming has done them no favours, neither has the “LOUD” speakers.
Good it’s still going..hopefully for a few more years..