Just months after the new Ipswich Empire cinema opened in the Buttermarket Centre, the town’s other multiplex is preparing to show off its new look.

A major refurbishment has been under way at Cineworld on Cardinal Park since the early spring.

The Cinema has remained open to the public, but there has been extensive work which has seen the closure of the first-floor Starbucks and reduced foyer space.

The company will still not say exactly what they will be unveiling – but have said they are finalising the work.

The Starbucks will reopen on the ground floor with an exterior area for people to enjoy a coffee outside during fine weather.

When the company applied for permission for the outside tables from the borough council earlier this year, it was said the work would be completed by July.

The exact work is not clear – but cinema-goers can see that a new upper-floor screen has been created over the entrance where the Starbucks used to be because the ceiling is now tiered.

A spokeswoman for Cineworld said: “We’re excited to be refurbishing our Ipswich cinema, which already houses an IMAX screen, as well as the latest 4DX technology that can stimulate all five senses.

“We continually strive to make sure Cineworld is the best place to watch a movie, and we want to give the Ipswich community as much choice as possible when it comes to how they watch movies with us.

“We’re finalising the work to the cinema at the moment and can’t wait to share more information in the very near future.”

Cineworld opened in 1998 as a Virgin Cinema – it then became UGC before taking on its new identity. Since the town’s Odeon closed in 2005 it has been the only multiplex in town until the opening of the Empire.

Many of its customers have Unlimited cards which are a season ticket to the films it shows – meaning it retains a strong customer base despite the new competition.

However many movie-goers believe that the decision to refurbish the Cineworld complex is not unconnected with the opening of the Empire just a few hundred yards away from it in the Buttermarket in the heart of the town centre.