Hundreds of people were given a sneak preview of Trowbridge’s new cinema at a VIP launch event last night.

Visitors toured the glass fronted £3.7m multiplex, which opens at noon today, and were treated to a screening of one of three films; Captain Phillips, Rush and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

The cinema, which is part of the new St Stephens Place Leisure Park, boasts a licensed bar, ice cream parlour and Costa coffee shop, as well as its seven screens, with guests being given free samples of the confectionary.

Among the guests was Trevor Heeks, Trowbridge town crier, who said: “It is magnificent to see the cinema open as it is something which Trowbridge has been crying out for.

“I remember the last time, I came to the cinema in Trowbridge I saw Last Tango in Paris at the New Kinema in Bythesea Road which was obviously quite some time ago.”

Tracy Sullivan, Trowbridge Arts Festival director, welcomed the cinema’s opening. She said: “It has been a long time in coming and some people had probably lost hope and thought we were never going to get one but it is great to see a cinema in Trowbridge again.”

Nick Price, Odeon manager, said: “I’m ecstatic that we are ready to open and welcome in the people of Trowbridge. It is great to see so many happy faces here tonight and it shows just how much having a cinema means to this town.”

The cinema is the first in the town since the Europa closed during the 1980s.

Mr Price said that he’s been pleased by the advance bookings for the cinema’s opening week which coincides with the half-term holidays.

In preparation for the opening, Odeon has handed out 50,000 discount vouchers to residents and schools.

The £17m leisure park, developed by Legal & General, will home a 80-bed Premier Inn, Nando’s, Prezzo and Frankie & Benny’s when it is completed.

Colin Kay, Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president, said: “One of the great things with this new cinema is that they’ve opened on time as it emphasises their commitment to the town. The whole site is going to be fantastic as it’ll be bringing jobs and more business to the town providing a real economic boost.”

Nando’s is expected to open in the first week of November, with the hotel opening on November 17 and Prezzo on December 12.

For cinema listings at Trowbridge’s Odeon visit www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/trowbridge/216/.