Colchester City Council is delighted to confirm that leading cinema operator Vue is coming to Colchester Leisure Park, following the signing of a lease agreement that marks a major milestone in the development of the Northern Gateway site.
Vue, the largest cinema exhibitor by market share in the UK, will take over the vacant cinema unit after a previous deal with Cineworld fell through in 2024. The venue will bring a long-awaited big screen experience to the city, featuring nine state-of-the-art screens, innovations such as Vue’s Lux and Ultra Lux seating, a new retail concept Vue Your Way, along with EPIC, Vue’s premium large format with mind-blowing sound and breathtaking colour on the biggest screen.
Vue’s arrival is expected to have a positive impact across the wider Northern Gateway development, supporting economic growth, attracting new tenants and enhancing the leisure offer for the city and surrounding areas.
Thanks to its convenient location just off the A12, with excellent links to Colchester city centre, nearby towns and surrounding villages, Colchester Leisure Park is well positioned to become a popular destination for cinema-goers across the region.
The site is already home to a growing mix of well-known names, including Hollywood Bowl, Slim Chickens, Wendy’s, Greggs, Travelodge, and Fastned EV charging facilities – with more to come.
Cllr Mark Cory, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets at Colchester City Council, said: “We can finally say that films are coming to a screen near you! I’m really pleased that we can now confirm that Vue is coming to Colchester Leisure Park.
“The cinema industry has faced challenges in recent years, but we’ve remained committed to bringing a top-tier operator to Colchester. Vue’s decision to invest here is a massive vote of confidence in our city.
“This is about more than just films – it’s about creating jobs, boosting footfall for nearby restaurants and businesses, and giving our community a high-quality leisure destination they can be proud of. The cinema will help bring Colchester Leisure Park to life, with more restaurants set to open and many fun outings ahead for residents and visitors.”
Narinder Shergill, UK and Ireland General Manager at Vue, said: “We can confirm that Vue will be coming to Colchester Leisure Park. We are very much looking forward to bringing the next generation of big screen entertainment to Colchester, complete with our latest and greatest Lux and Ultra Lux seating, our newly launched premium large format screen EPIC as well as Vue Your Way, a brand new retail experience in time for an incredible wave of films on the horizon.
“We look forward to sharing more information in due course.”
The addition of Vue reaffirms the Colchester City Council’s commitment to delivering a leisure destination that meets the needs of both residents and visitors and strengthens the local economy.
Page last reviewed: 29 October 2025