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A Sutton Coldfield cinema that was affected by the pandemic and then by the fall of its owners in the administration must raise the curtain once again in front of moviegoers. The former Empire, now Royal in Sutton, Coldfield, will welcome moviegoers this weekend for the first time in nearly 4 years.
And the place has undergone a complete renovation, bringing it back to its 1930s Art Deco style with touches like plush seating, improved sound, larger screens, and a new bar. Of course, there are movie dishes like popcorn, nachos, candy, and ice. cream.
But those who crave a drink on date night can enjoy beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails or a host of hot, cold, and comfortable drinks to cool off. We spoke to The Royal director Des Christie to get his thoughts on the new look. And below find a review of what’s being replaced and what to expect at the new location.
Read more: New cinema to open as old Empire ‘strikes back’ with striking new look
What’s new in Cines Reales?
The bright Empire sign has been repositioned across the Royal Cinema signage outside. The long windows in the lobby opened completely, flooding the place with natural light. Enter the lobby and find chandeliers and period seating.
It’s a mix of the ’30s with trendy drinks, food and snacks that you’d expect at a movie theater. Drinks. Tango Ice Blasts on tap, popcorn, nachos and ice cream from Yarde Farm in Plymouth.
But to this are added alcoholic beverages: beers, wines, spirits and cocktails. And a cozy bar and lounge area upstairs next to the main screen: number 1.
New look at Royal Cinemas Sutton Coldfield – in 35 wonderful images – gallery
I went there a day before the official opening, which will take place on Friday, July 26. Deadpool and Wolverine were the spotlights and will appear alongside Twisters and Despicable Me 4 on opening night.
So what happened to the Empire to reorganize it? It would be less difficult to say what didn’t happen! The new cinema lobby has been refined. Less is more for the Jervis family.
The food and beverage counter remains on the right as you enter the cinema; However, the rest of the clutter has been replaced by the sofas and tables in the back left, across those huge, long windows. Something that Harry Weedon architect Cecil Clavering would have imagined when he designed Oscar Deutsch’s Odeons just a century ago.
The floor has a marble effect. The chrome handrails have been preserved, but have been restored and shine again. The bar and balcony are open: they give the impression of being part of the main lobby and not separate from it, as was the case in the Odeon/Empire days.
Previously, the room only featured a giant screen, with seats in the back and top. But those 4 with the main screen above and 3 below. Two smaller screens and a 3rd of “medium” capacity.
Read more: I visited the Brum cinema under renovation and was impressed with a detail
What’s wrong with screens?
Screen 1 now has about 198 seats, most with running boards and cup holders. But the last row has a set of recliners. Press a button, put your feet up and enjoy the action! There is almost no position in the house. In the front row you will be immersed in the movie, like in an IMAX theater. And the seating will outshine most living rooms.
Hall 4, where the lower stalls were located when it was a single movie theater, is the second largest with 164 seats. These are just sofa and armchair seats. If you want to make sure you don’t sit on a couch with a stranger, you should book any of your seats. But you may just create a new “speed dating” spot by moving around the double couch seats and introducing yourself!
The fins of the original cinema are visual, and now fashionable luxury comes to complement them, with improved screens and sound systems, plus comfortable sofas and armchairs.
Screens 2 and 3 are mirror photographs of each other. They are shown face to face as you walk through the lobby doors. Each seats forty-five (including wheelchair space) and is comfortable. More intimate matters. It looks like a luxury cinema that a footballer could have in the grounds of Four Oaks. . . and more!
There are bathrooms downstairs and upstairs. With bathrooms available downstairs. Although a stairlift has been ordered for the lower area, it has not yet arrived. Wheelchair users will have to use the front and be assisted by the cinema staff, as before. The elevator to the lobby is “scheduled for September. “. An inconvenience for owners and their consumers who want the elevator, but it will come soon.
What and drink are offered?
It’s movie food: snacks and drinks, but also hot meals. Anyone who needs it has a wide selection nearby on Birmingham Road.
There is small, normal or (3,50€ to 5€). And nachos with sauce (£5) or two (£6) or crispy fries (£3. 50). Or packets of sweets for £3, packets of chocolate for £3. 50 and Yarde Farm ice cream for £3 for the small pot.
Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta and Dr Pepper Zero on tap (small, giant between £4 and £6). Or Tango Ice Blast sugar loose slushies: between £4. 50 and £6. 50. Bottled Coca-Cola and San Pellegrino charge £2. 50, Lipton iced tea and canned fruit sprouts charge £2. Hot coffees and teas can be had for between £2 and £3.
And a well-stocked bar touting bottles of beer including Peroni, San Miguel, Corona and Birra Moretti (between £4 and £5), Magners and Kopparberg ciders for £3. 50 or £4. Prosecco at £6 for 20cl or £18 per bottle. Funkin cocktails at £5 a can.
Or spirits at £4 for a single or £5 for a double (plus £2. 50 for a mix). There are non-alcoholic options: Bellini mocktails for £3, Peroni 0% for £3. 50 or Kopparberg 0% for £4.
The Royal offers combo deals of popcorn and nachos plus a regular drink for £8. 50, or popcorn broths and XL nachos and two drinks for £13. And a combo with small popcorn, treats and a small drink or fruit consultation for £4. 50.
The venue has a strict policy that only food and drinks purchased on site can be fed there. He said the food and drinks purchased there will maintain their “long-term future” as part of the value of the cinema ticket is covered through vendors and film-making prices, adding to the salaries of stars such as Tom Cruise.
Director Des Christie said, “We think we’ve given the cinema a real atmosphere. And we inspire our consumers to do so by purchasing the food and beverages on offer.
“We don’t have hot food, so we inspire other people to use nearby restaurants if they are hungry and come to see us. We have food purchased through the police, so no food or drinks can be brought in.
Read more: The municipal cinema will be restored and reopened after its takeover
And what are the movie prices?
The prices are competitive and for what you get for your cash, I’d say it’s a decent price for cash. It has an Art Deco decoration, with sound formulas and advanced screens. Plus, luxury seating on each and every screen.
The maximum value for an adult is less than £10. It costs £9. 75 at peak times, i. e. after 1:00 p. m. m. de Monday through Thursday and before 5:00 p. m. m. on Sundays. Adults in low season charge £8. 25, youth charge £6. 75 per day for ages 2 to 14. Concessions: Over 60s or students with valid photo ID from 6th grade, school or university: £7. 50.
The family limit for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, is £30. And off-peak family costs are £28. During school holidays, off-peak hours are Monday through Thursday before 1 p. m. There will also be a Royal Juniors Club weekend for £3 for all tickets, starting in September.
When will the Royal open to the public and how do I make a reservation?
The Royal Cinemas will officially open this weekend and are scheduled for Friday, July 26 at 4:40 p. m. for a screening of Deadpool and Wolverine. Tickets are expected to be available shortly at: www. royalcinemas. co. uk. Visit the Royal Cinemas online page and the venue’s social media channels, Facebook and Instagram, to find out about the new opening. and reservation information.
Twisters and Despicable Me 4 will also be screened, with cinemas 2 to 4 opening, with finishing touches being made to screen 1, which will open no later than Monday (July 29). The bar will be open, but will be reserved for movie ticket holders for the time being. And those who wish to have a drink before the film are asked to stop by well before the screening. Ten minutes before, they may not be attended to.
Royal Cinemas director Des Christie said: “From an operational point of view, we are in a position to move forward. We are in the last stages of changes and inconveniences. The disabled lift is not yet in working order. But the cinema is available from the side as before and the staff will know if there is an area reserved for the disabled.
“Anyone with any concerns can access the Contact Us segment of the royalcinemas. co. uk website. “Tickets can be purchased at royalcinemas. co. uk and then you will get a QR code that you can scan at the door. Thank!