Marlborough is to get a royal visit next month when HRH The Duchess of Cornwall comes to town to go to the cinema.

The Duchess will visit The Parade Cinema on Thursday 2nd December 2021 at 1.40pm. to celebrate its recent opening. She will meet the manager, directors and staff and be shown around the newly finished auditorium, café and garden.

A cinema spokesman said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Her Royal Highness. It’s 50 years since the last cinema closed in Marlborough but we now have a state-of-the-art cinema in a splendid, carefully restored, late Georgian chapel.”

The auditorium has 104 seats, 70 in the stalls and 34 in the balcony and the management are promising a variety of movies for all tastes.

“There will be a wide programme of the latest films and old favourites, live performances, arts films, foreign films – in fact anything that attracts viewers from the surrounding area,” said the spokesman.

“Since opening we have shown the incredibly popular ‘No Time to Die’, ‘The Alpinist’, The French Dispatch’, the ‘House of Gucci’ and popular children’s films such as ‘Paw Patrol’ and ‘Boss Baby 2’.”

The cinema has a fully licensed bar and a café serving food and drinks from 9.30am till 9.00pm. There is additional upstairs seating linked to the balcony which can be used for private parties. Outside there is a substantial paved garden where food and drink can be served and enjoyed in the fresh air.

“Working with local partners, artisan producers and small businesses we are stocking a wide range of food, drinks, sweets and treats – including the traditional cinema fare of popcorn and ice cream,” said the spokesman.

“You can also enjoy sharing platters, stone baked sourdough pizzas, hot dogs, Somerset charcuterie, nachos and more – either in the café or whilst watching a film. Our bar is serving Ramsbury beer, local ciders, cocktails and more as well as a wine list developed by Yapps Brothers.”

David Williams, the general manager added: “We have been able to create what I believe is a truly outstanding offering, from the fantastic sound and picture quality of our screen to the ever-evolving food menu, I’m proud to have been able to achieve this with a team that share my passion for delivering truly exceptional service.”

Robert Hiscox, Chairman of Image Cinemas said: “I am delighted that such a handsome old chapel should be given a new life and purpose as a community asset which we hope and believe will bring pleasure, artistic inspiration and education to many future generations.”