The seven-screen cinema was like nothing many had ever seen
A lost cinema chain that was once the place to be for a generation of Preston kids is now confined to history.
It’s been over 30 years since cinemagoers from Preston and beyond headed to the Warner Village cinema at the Capitol Centre, Walton-Le-Dale. For many kids, it was their first experience of a cinema and for others, it was the go-to place to see a blockbuster or go on a first date.
Created by Warner Bros and Village Cinemas, the chain of multiplex cinemas began with a branch in Bury before expanding across the UK to the likes of Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port, Bolton and more. The most notable Warner Village Cinema was in Leicester Square, London and the site would often roll out the red carpet to host Warner film premieres, Cheshire Live recently reported.
Chronicle Live previously reported how Newcastle’s shiny new multiplex was opened on December 6, 1989, by TV stars Phillip Schofield, Caron Keating and the cast of Byker Grove, with Kylie Minogue appearing the following night for the venue’s premiere. At the Cheshire branch, EastEnders actor Ross Kemp and singer Louise appeared to start the cinema’s own “Hollywood-style walk of fame”.
It’s unclear who was on hand for the big Preston opening, but there’s no doubt hundreds have many memories of passing through the cinema as it looks in these throwback photos. The seven-screen cinema opened in 1991 and was like nothing many people had ever seen – in the 1990s, it boasted armchair seats with popcorn holders, digital stereo sound, the latest video games in the foyer and more.
On March 28, 1997, the Southport Midweek Visited printed the latest screenings at Walton-le-Dale’s Warner Village. Newly released films included Matilda, 101 Dalmatians, Dante’s Peak and Space Jam.
Many will remember going to Preston’s Warner Village Cinema for the first time. The bold Warner Bros logo outside could also be spotted across the car park and was always a landmark that caused excitement.
But by the 2000s, we started to see the cinema chain disappear across the UK. On March 3, 2004, Cheshire Live reported how the Warner Village Cinema at Cheshire Oaks had changed its name to Vue.
The article reads: “The acquisition of the Warner Village circuit took place last May by Vue Entertainment, in which key stake-holders include Boston Ventures, Clarity Partners and Legal & General Ventures. The new organisation comprises 40 cinemas throughout the UK with more than 25 million attendances each year.”
As part of the rebranding process, it was announced that all Vue cinemas, including the one in Birkenhead, were going through a major “refresh” program focused mainly on the public main foyer areas. Changes included casual seating added in foyers, new staff uniforms and more.
At the time, Tim Richards, chief executive of Vue, said: “We are very excited about the launch of the new brand across the UK. Among many other initiatives, the cinema refresh program will deliver a noticeable positive change to our customers. This is just the beginning of a very dynamic future for Vue.”
Vue Cheshire Oaks also said it was opening an additional screen due to the continued success of the cinema, which opened in 1999. Today, both sites remain home to Vue, but many still have fond memories of the Warner Village days.
Today, the lost Warner Village Cinema chain is confined to the history books. The site remains a Vue cinema, but we still have fond memories of visiting it as looked here.
- 13:34, 12 FEB 2023