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Search forFilm fans given first look of the city's new cinema screens
Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 07:30
Former members of the city's Metro Cinema were invited to test out the two cinema screens yesterday ahead of the grand opening.
After being based temporarily at the University of Derby, The Metro finally closed in March in preparation for its move to Quad.
And according to Nick Lockett, of Kirk Ireton, it will be well worth the wait when it officially opens.
Mr Lockett, a former photographer for Carlton Television, attended the preview event with wife Gill and former film producer John Lawton, also of Kirk Ireton.
He said: "I am very, very impressed with the new cinema. It's awesome.
"I'm over 6ft tall and there is loads of leg room and the sound system is good too.
"We were regulars at the Metro and can't wait for the new cinema to officially open."
As well as the cinema screens, Quad will also house an exhibition gallery and cafe.
It is due to open on September 26 as part of Feste 2008 and the cinema will offer film fans a bigger variety of independent, world and Hollywood films and a better choice of screening times.
Former Metro Cinema member Richard Deakin, of Burton, was also impressed with the finished product.
The 56-year-old said: "Since the Metro closed, I've probably only been to the cinema about four times, so I can't wait for the Quad to open.
"The new screens are great, the seats are comfortable, the cinema itself isn't too big and there's a great range of films on. As first impressions go, it's pretty good."
Yesterday, the cinema also opened its doors to families and children, offering a taster of the Quad's Cine Kids and Cine Babies programmes.
Cine Kids shows family films in the afternoon every Saturday and Sunday and Cine Babies offers special monthly screenings for parents or carers with children under the age of 12 months.
Sharon Payne, of Chaddesden, took her two-year-old son Luke to see Disney film Wall-E. She said: "I heard about it through a local toddler group so decided to go along to see what it was all about.
"We both really enjoyed it and the cinema is great, with fantastic facilities."
Marketing officer Kathy Frain said they decided to run the taster sessions to get views on the new cinema.
She said: "It gave us the chance to see how everything worked and logistically how it would work with things like pushchairs. The feedback has been positive."
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