Reel Cinemas (Pioneer Park)

Reel Cinemas has had a presence in Burnley, Lancashire, since acquiring the 9-screen Apollo multiplex, Manchester Road, in 2013. (That had opened in 1997: see separate Cinema Treasures entry.)

Reel refurbished that cinema in 2017, including the creation of a luxury screen, the Reel Lounge.

Then, proposals emerged for the £23m Pioneer Place leisure and restaurant development on a vacant city centre site. This was led by Burnley Borough Council’s development partner, Maple Grove Developments, and designed by AEW Architects.

Planning approval was secured in January 2020, but the pandemic inevitably resulted in delays, and the work eventually started in January 2022, with completion in late summer 2023.

The scheme included a 7-screen cinema, as the anchor tenant, and Reel Cinemas decided to relocate from Manchester Road.

Their existing cinema closed on Tuesday 5th September 2023. The new Reel Cinema, at Pioneer Place, opened on Friday 8th September.

The opening weekend featured “Star Wars” cosplayers The 99th Garrison, special sing-a-long screenings of “The Greatest Showman” – and patrons wearing a Burnley FC shirt received a free scoop of ice cream on the Sunday!

Alongside the six ‘standard’ screens Reel have maintained their luxury Reel Lounge. Seating capacities are: Reel Lounge:66, and Screens 1:155, 2:137, 3:59, 4:59, 5:46 and 6:72.

The opening films also included mega-hit “Barbie”, DC superhero adventure “Blue Beetle”, “Meg 2: The Trench”, starring Jason Statham, horror sequel “The Nun 2”, Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer 3”, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and comedy sequel “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3”.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.