ALLOA residents will soon have their very own blockbuster cinema right on the doorstep.

A social place for people to meet, it offers 60 seats, all of which are VIP, along with a range of movie snacks available to purchase.

Alloa Cinema, based out of Chalmers on Bank Street, will officially launch on Wednesday, September 20 and kicks off with the release of Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Local man Andrew Young Henderson, director of Chalmers Entertainments Limited which leases the building, has drawn on his background in audio visual electricals to make the venture happen.

The set-up of the independent DCI cinema will bring a small employment boost and sees the venue open seven days a week.

It aims to provide an end of night destination for people popping out for a bite to eat, along with being a spot to take the family, and hopes to improve footfall to the town centre.

Mr Henderson told the Advertiser: “The place is just evolving, so it’s a natural evolution to cinema.

“The British Film Institute are keen on developing community spirit through cinema.

“It’s where more genteel people can go and congregate and meet instead of having to go to a pub.

“An end destination for a town is very important because it means people can start their evening at a restaurant, Wetherspoons for instance for tea, and then move on possibly to the Old Brewery.

“Or stay at Wetherspoons for another few drinks waiting on a film starting at, say 7.30.

“Or they can go to the Italian restaurant, they can come here for an early film and then go to the Italian restaurant for say nine o’clock and have a nice meal.

“It just brings people into the town and if they’re in the town it means they’re passing the shops, and if they’re passing the shop windows they might come the next day and buy something.”

The entertainment venue, which is a listed building dating back to the mid-1800s, will still offer a nightclub on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Comfortable seating will be set-up for each film showing – and a cleaning rota will be in place to keep it in tip-top condition – while a carpet covers the dancefloor area.

It will be fully accessible for wheelchair use, with a loop system in place, and it is described as being along the lines of a “boutique hotel”.

There will be plenty of snacking options such as popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, pizza, teas and coffee, along with the opportunity to purchase a glass of wine or beer.

Plans are well underway to bring a range of films to the venue – such as Star Wars – and people will be able to book online.

There will also be a chance to see trailers and check out the cinema on the Monday and Tuesday before it opens, 18 and 19 September.

To keep up to date, check out Alloa Cinema on Facebook, or @AlloaCinema on Twitter. The contact number, 07936586294, will be serviced nearer to the opening date.