More big screen thrills for Wimbledon film fans (From Wimbledon Guardian)

HMV to open cinema above Wimbledon Broadway shop

11:30am Monday 11th May 2009 in News By Craig Burnett

Movie fans will have a new place to get their film fix when a unique cinema launches in Wimbledon.

The venue, a partnership between DVD and music chain HMV and cinema chain Curzon, will open above HMV’s shop in the Broadway later this year.

A spokesman for the chain said the cinema would feature three screens and more than 200 seats.

If it is a success HMV and Curzon hope to open similar venues across the country.

The new cinema will be metres away from Wimbledon’s 12 screen Odeon.

But HMV insist its screens will not be a direct competitor to the existing cinema, as the new venue will focus on showing classic, independent and international films.

The cinema, which is expected to open in the autumn, will show films during the day and evening including times when the store below it is shut.

A spokesman for the chain said the cinema’s digital projector would allow it to show a wider variety of films than those with traditional equipment.

He also said the cinema would be used for more unusual screenings - including concerts, awards ceremonies and computer game tournaments.

The chain has also been contacted by the Wimbledon Film Club with a view to using the new auditorium.

Tracy Francis, Wimbledon town centre manager, said: “I’m thrilled. It adds to the ‘offer’ of Wimbledon - it’s fantastic.”

She said the new screens at HMV, alongside Wimbledon’s existing theatres and Odeon cinema, would boost the town as an entertainment and leisure destination.

Simon Fox, HMV’s chief executive, said: “We feel Wimbledon will be an ideal location to trial our first cinema.

"Our high level of DVD sales at the store back up research which shows that there is a huge passion for films in the area - and not just blockbuster and mainstream releases.”

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