Opening ceremony held for new Bridgwater leisure facility
Northgate Yard will eventually feature a bowling alley and several restaurants as well as a cinema, green space and children's play area
A special opening ceremony has been held for a new leisure facility in Somerset today, despite the fact much of it is yet to open to the public.
Northgate Yard in Bridgwater has been created thanks to work by Sedgemoor District Council at a cost of around ÂŁ16 million.
It features a cinema, which will open on Friday 28 October and will eventually boast a bowling alley and several restaurants as well, but they are not due to open until 2023.
There is also a green space and children's playground, all on land right in the centre of the town.
Councillor Duncan McGinty is the leader of Sedgemoor District Council.
“The opening of Northgate Yard and Brewery Field this month is the fulfilment of a long-held ambition of the local community and Sedgemoor District Council," he said.
"We have created a town-centre attraction to benefit Bridgwater residents and our local economy and are so proud to see our vision come to fruition.
"We would like to thank our key tenants Scott Cinemas and All Stars Bowling for being part of this journey, the contractors Wilmott Dixon for creating a stunning development and local residents for their support.”
The cinema was due to open on Friday 21 October but that date had to be pushed back because a delivery of seats for the screens did not arrive in time.
With seven screens, once it does open the cinema will have capacity for more than 700 people, while it is fully wheelchair accessible.
Special screenings for a kid's club will be offered on Saturday mornings and for seniors on Wednesdays.
It will also screen live National Theatre, ballet and opera performances.