Clacton's cinema is in for a major £50,000 revamp.

Flicks, in Pier Avenue, is having a new high-tech sound system installed in its main cinema. And in screen two there will also be major improvements.

Flicks One already boasts the largest cinema screen in Essex and its owners are now set to install one of the best sound systems.

Flicks, which is owned by pools company Zetters, faced a problem recently with showing the new Star Wars movie, The Phantom Menace, as it is made with digital sound - which meant it might have missed out.

But Zetters has now decided to upgrade the sound in Flicks One and install a £25,000 digital system - Sony Dynamic Digital Sound.

The old Flicks One Dolby sound equipment will now be moved into Flicks Two. In Flicks Two there will also be a new carpet and seating, with a centre aisle being created to ensure easier access.

And in the foyer there will be photos of movie stars as well as old pictures of the cinema.

Phil Packham, general manager, said: "It is like nearly getting a brand new cinema.

"There are only so many independents which will actually be getting digital sound. We are setting a standard for a lot of other independents to follow."

It is hoped all the improvements will be completed within three weeks and the cinema will not be shut while the work takes place.

Film fans can hear the difference for themselves when the digital sound is launched on Friday.

Flicks One, which can seat 625 people, will also have better lighting to illuminate the whole venue.

Among the plans for the future are:

A kiosk outside Flicks Two offering merchandising for blockbusters and refreshments

A walkway between Flicks One and Two

A return of the double feature presentations

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