With the recent news that the town’s former Odeon cinema could soon be occupied, we look back to the construction and grand opening of the former Virgin Cinema multiplex, now Cineworld, at Cardinal Park.
Virgin Cinemas launched in 1995 after the acquisition of the largest movie theatre operator, MGM cinemas.
Three years later and the construction of the brand new multiplex on Cardinal Park in Ipswich town centre was finishing up, comprising an 11 screen multiplex with THX screens and a premiere room offering free popcorn and snacks.
Sir Richard Branson made an appearance at the newly built cinema, offering tours and interviews to the press and greeting his newest staff members at the site.
But the cinema’s time under the Virgin branding was short lived, and in 2002 the company sold the chain.
The cinema at Cardinal Park soon became Cineworld, which still stands at the site today.
To share your own pictures and memories of Virgin Cinemas or Cineworld with us, email our picture desk.
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