Hopes that Sunderland cinema re-opening will be catalyst for reviving Sunniside

Responding to press reportd that Omniplex cinemas are set to re-open the former Sunderland Empire Cinema in Sunniside, Deputy Leader of Wearside Lib Dems Councillor Heather Fagan - who campaigned to get the Council to find a new operator for the cinema building which they own - said:

“Not having a cinema in Sunderland has been an embarrassment for the city. Many feared we were going back to the bad old days when we didn’t have a cinema for years and years.  That’s why opposition Lib Dems did everything possible when Empire Cinemas went into administration to convince the Council, who own the building, to commit to finding a new operator to take over as a priority.

“Today’s news about a new operator is fantastic for local people and for the city centre economy which has been dealt a number of blows in recent weeks, not least the closure of Marks and Spencers. I hope that as many people as possible support the new Omniplex cinema and that its re-opening can be a catalyst for bringing more units in and around Sunniside back into use so we have the vibrant city centre we all want to see.”