Blockbuster progress is being made in the bid to build Basildon’s new marvel of a cinema.

The 10-screen Empire multiplex, set to open in Basildon Town Square in six months time, is part of the titanic regeneration of the East Square end of town.

One of the cinema’s screens will be the largest outside of London and will also boast 3D technologies as well as connected leisure facilities.

With a lull in the film industry due to Covid-19, which has halted Hollywood movie production and seen more of us opting for the small screen over the big screen when it comes to entertainment, could there really be a fairytale ending with the addition of another cinema to the borough?

Cinemas have, after all, been in decline since the golden ages of the 1930s-1950s.

In 1950 there were 4,594 cinemas in the UK. A decade later this had fallen to 3,304. By 1971 the number was a little over 1,500. So as buzz around the new Basildon central multiplex builds, it’s interesting to remember that exactly 50 years ago Basildon residents was also welcoming a new cinema - the ABC.

The ‘dual’ cinema based in North Gunnels, Greak Oaks, was ahead of its time in the sense it boasted two theatres within one giant complex. It also had a state-of-the-art widescreen projector. From the first it made going to the flicks something of an experience.

The first titles ever shown at the Basildon ABC in September of 1971 were the tear-jerking romance Love Story and the comedy On The Buses.

Ticket prices were 55p for adults and 45p for children. Half a century on and we’re talking around £9 and £7 respectively for a ticket.

The ABC weathered along quite nicely during the Seventies, although this wasn’t the best time for cinemas due to a lack of smash hit films and diminishing audiences.

Anyone around at the time will remember the bright and distinctive decor of the ABC. Beyond the main foyer stood a pay box for each theatre. The whole area was carpeted in red and the walls were finished in black and oatmeal colours. The ladies’ powder room was an odd combination of black and purple. The main cinema screen could seat 644 patrons and featured bright red seats, red carpets and gold stage curtains. The second, slightly smaller theatre had room for 455 movie-goers and had blue carpets.

The ABC complex was also a place for entertainment such as eating and drinking.

It featured a concourse lounge where refreshments such as toasted sandwiches and fish and chips were sold. There was even a bar inside named The Painted Wagon, which was perfect for a pre-show drink.

In 1986 the cinema became known as the Cannon when owners EMI sold out to the Cannon company.

Later in 1994 cinema chain Robins took over, but competition from the new UCI 12-screen multiplex cinema at Lakeside in Thurrock and then a cinema at the Festival Leisure Park in Basildon proved too great to compete with and the venue closed for good in December 1999.

Now the Empire aims to give the south Essex film industry a new hope and should be ready to open in time for the February half-term holidays.