The Vault Cinemas and Real Food Hall, a new mini leisure complex in Burnley, allows film fans to watch any film ever made in a private cinema setting. The venue, housed in a former bank, combines private cinema screens, a food hall and a hotel.
Private cinema rooms in a former bank vault
The cinema rooms are located in the building's original bank vault and each features recliner massage chairs. Meals, drinks and snacks from the food hall are delivered directly to the private rooms, with tickets starting from £4.59. In the larger rooms, entry costs from £2.50.
The complex is the vision of Burnley-born software developer Chris Hagan, whose global company Unique X provides innovative software solutions for cinema.
Any film on request
Leon, who runs the food hall's Urban Bites, explained that guests can request any film in advance. "If the cinema isn't booked up you can ask what rooms are free and they'll only charge you the same as the larger rooms. The best thing is; if you get in touch in advance and request a film - any film - they'll get the code and screen it so you can literally watch any film ever made if you want to."
"Someone might want to come and watch the movie they saw on their first date years ago or their favourite film as a kid. It's fantastic and everything's been done to such a high standard."
Food hall, arcade games and hotel
One floor up is the food hall, with vendors offering pizzas, street food and steaks, which has attracted the attention of Beard Meats Food. There is also a small bar, a communal eating area, arcade games and an interactive darts area.
Leon hinted that Hagan plans to open a second, similar venue in Greater Manchester. On the top floor is the boutique Above Hotels, which boasts 'exceptional' and 'fabulous' ratings on Booking.com and Hotels.com.
During renovations, some of the bank's original features, such as the vault doors, were saved and used as part of the interior design. Each room has a well-stocked and reasonably-priced mini bar and luxury furnishings. Rooms at the hotel start from £109. The idea behind combining the food hall, cinema and hotel, Leon explained, is that "everything's in one place".
