Cinema prices, what's on and a look inside as Omniplex opens in Sunderland

It’s lights, camera, action as Omniplex opens its doors.

After nearly a year closed following the collapse of the Empire Cinema chain, its former Sunderland site in Sunniside welcomes its first cinemagoers from 4pm today, May 10.

There’s been much anticipation for the return of cinema to the city centre, with Omniplex, already Ireland’s biggest cinema group, choosing Sunderland as its first site in the North East of England.

Ticket sales for the Sunderland site went live this morning, with hundreds of people already pre-booking their seat as the red carpet is rolled out for opening night, with many securing their seats as soon as booking went live at 7am.

The first film to be screened at 4pm will be Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Anthony Rock, operations manager at Omniplex, said: “At Omniplex, we’re always looking for new and exciting opportunities to grow the group and this site was ideal.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming Mackems through the doors. The response has been crazy on socials and we very much want to be part of the community here.

“We’ve had the doors open as lots of people have been passing and keen to have a look inside.”

Forty jobs have been created with the opening, with many of the former Empire team successfully reapplying for their jobs.

Visitors to the Sunderland site on opening night can enjoy free popcorn, subject to Ts & Cs.

Refurbishment

The main changes to the site have been the new branding and the order and pay stations in the lobby, which also sees the return of people being able to pay via cash as well as contactless.

But over the next 12 months, the cinema will undergo a rolling refurbishment which will see the installation of luxury recline seating and sofa beds in screens and new food and beverage options in the lobby. 

In the meantime, the Omniplex team has made repairs to the site, including the seating and IT systems.

What’s On

There’s 12 screens in total with a handful open as the new cinema gets underway.

Current films showing are Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Back to Black, Kung Fu Panda 4, Abigail, Challengers, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Super Wings: Maximum Speed, ScaryGirl and Fall Guy.

Sensory and subtitled screenings are also available.

Prices

Pricing is £5.95 for all tickets Monday to Thursday and £6.95 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A Kids Club runs on Saturdays and Sundays, priced £2.50.

There is also the option of buying an Omnipass, which gives you unlimited monthly screenings for £11.99. There’s a minimum three month subscription and it can be used at any Omniplex in England and Scotland to see any film once.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.omniplexcinemas.co.uk/cinema/sunderland

Food, drink & parking

There’s the return of nachos, hot dogs, Tango Ice Blasts, sweets, pick ‘n’ mix and more including popcorn made on site.

Sunderland customers will also be able to validate their car parking ticket in-cinema for up to three hours free parking at the neighbouring Sunniside carpark.