AFTER months of speculation, cinema fans in Chester were given a boost today (Thursday, July 27) as it was announced that Chester Picturehouse was well on its way.

Chester's Northgate project, the development of which was interrupted in March by a gas explosion which injured three contractors, had announced in August 2022 that senior figures from Picturehouse cinemas had visited to view the theatre's progress.

A six-screen, 800 seat, state-of-the-art venue is planned for the heart of the Northgate development, with the unit next to Zizzi and near to the new Chester Market entrance now displaying 'cinema coming soon' signs.

Film fans in the city have had to remain patient, but this morning the company which operates 26 venues across the UK, offered further encouragement.

Chester Picturehouse said via Twitter: "We can't wait to open the doors of Chester's very own Picturehouse later this year!

"Want to be a part of the action? Founder Memberships are on sale now!"

The Picture House website says that the six-screen cinema will show a mix of arthouse and blockbuster films, with the first 1000 Chester members to be integrated 'into the fabic of the cinema' with a specially commissioned Founder Members' Wall that will bear their names.

Chester is one of three new Picturehouse venues set to open soon, with Epsom and Ealing also currently in development. The company own the FACT theatre in nearby Liverpool.

The first Picturehouse cinema opened in 1989 and the company was bought by the world's second-largest cinema chain Cineworld a little over two decades later, in 2012.

Despite Cineworld's plans to file for administration, it is understood that this will not affect Picturehouse developments.

The movie offering would complement that of Storyhouse in the city centre, which has one cinema screen.