The doors to Broughton's first state-of-the-art cinema will open in three weeks time.

And the Chester Chronicle has been given a sneak peek inside Cineworld at Broughton Shopping Park, which will boast 11 screens – including the only IMAX screen in North Wales, which cinema bosses say will “blow your mind”.

It is the final piece of the multi-million pound extension to the shopping park which includes an array of already-open restaurants including Prezzo, Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquito, Nando’s and Pizza Express.

The cinema, which will open on May 8, will seat around 1,680 people in total, including 300 in the state-of-the-art IMAX theatre.

1,680

Approximate number of seats at Cineworld

On entering the complex cinema-goers will be greeted with a Starbucks in the foyer as well as wrap-around screens surrounding by LED lighting which will show all the latest movie trailers.

Also on offer will be a range of snacks including a Baskin Robbins ice cream counter.

Contractors GF Holding are adding the finishing touches to the cinema and once complete it will be kitted out with all the latest audio-visual technology including 3D capabilities as well as stylish and comfy seating which will allow cinema-goers to watch the latest blockbusters in the height of luxury.

A special effort has also been made to cater for disabled customers who will have free rein on where to sit thanks to removable seats as well as a special box at the back.

Architect and project manager Chris Bartlett explained: “We’ve really tried to cater for disabled members of our audience to make sure that they can have a great cinema experience too.

“We don’t want their only option to be sat in a gap at the front like at other cinemas so there are removable seats as well as an access box right at the back.”

However, arguably by far the most exciting addition that looks set to draw visitors from miles away is the IMAX.

Currently film-lovers have to travel to Liverpool or Manchester for the magical experience that makes audiences feel like they “part of the film” thanks to a giant wall-to-wall and floor-to-floor screen measuring a whopping 17m wide and 9m high.

Ben Caunter, senior director of marketing for IMAX, said: “It is all about putting the audience front and centre and making them feel like they are a part of the movie.

“It runs from two huge digital projectors which gives a life-like and crystal clear image with about 60% more brightness and 40% more contrast which is really important for 3D movies.”

He added: “Every image and soundtrack is remastered for IMAX which means that you don’t just hear the sound you feel it too. It will absolutely blow your mind.”

Films to watch at Cineworld

The first IMAX films that will be screened at Broughton Cineworld will be Avengers: Age of Ultron, followed by Mad Max: Fury Road from May 15 and Tomorrowland from May 22.

While in the other 10 screens films on opening week will include Home, Cinderella, Spooks: The Greater Good, The Age of Adaline and Far from the Madding Crowd.

The cinema’s 50 staff members along with their friends and families will be the first lucky people to give the screens a test-drive, while those who held an Unlimited card at the old Chester branch of Cineworld will also be invited to a special pre-opening night on May 7.

General manager of Broughton Cineworld Michelle McClean said: “We are really looking forward to opening. I’ve watched it develop along every stage right from it being a car park to what it is now. It’s all coming together and is starting to feel very real – we’re just so excited for it to be finished.

“We’re expecting to be very busy from day one especially because of the IMAX screen as people will be travelling from all of North Wales as well as Chester, Ellesmere Port and maybe even further afield. The technology really is state-of-the-art.”