More residents react to Cineworld departure at Northern Gateway

Owen Louis, 49, of Shrub End, said: “Whenever I have wanted to go and see a movie I usually go outside of Colchester, to the Cineworlds in Ipswich or Braintree.

“There are two reasons for this: Parking, Colchester city centre with its one way system means parking can be expensive and sometimes nowhere near the cinema.

“The Cineworlds I have been to in both areas offer free parking for cinema goers, also I’m quite tall at 6’4 and legroom is very important.

Local resident and DJ - Owen Louis (Image: Public)

“Cineworld offers much more legroom than most chain cinemas, these are the reasons I was really looking forward to Cineworld coming to Colchester.

“I’m disappointed that they have pulled of the project, it could really have been the cherry on top of the cake in the attempt to breathe new life into that part of Colchester.”

Gabi Oates, 24, of Ipswich Road, said: “I didn't realise Cineworld has pulled out. I was looking forward to having a different cinema option.

“Even though we have some great cinemas in Colchester such as the Curzon and Firstsite, it would have been great to have another big chain cinema here in the city to add even more variety.”

Resident - Gabi Oates (Image: Public) Jacqui Clark, 54, of Marks Tey, agrees and said: “I think it’s a real shame that Cineworld have pulled out of the Northern gateway project as I do enjoy a cinema trip.

“But understandably it may not be profitable for Cineworld, with many people just not being prepared to pay the cost of a cinema ticket in the current financial climate.

“There is less incentive to attend the cinema, particularly when many of us have access to a variety of films on streaming channels that are available on our home TV.

Colchester resident - Jacqui Clark (Image: Public) Music and film lover - Charlie Searle (Image: Public) Charlie Searle, 28, grew up in Colchester and now resides in Kelvedon Road, Witham.

He said: “It’s a great shame as I actively go to the one in Braintree as I believe it delivers a better quality of service than other cinemas in Colchester.

“We should really start taking the process of large businesses entering the economic sphere within Colchester more seriously if we are to entertain such commerce.”