Signs have been put up at a new cinema coming to a County Durham retail park that’s set to open later this month.
The new Reel Cinema is due to open on Friday, March 27, at the Bishop Auckland Retail & Leisure Park.
On Tuesday (March 3), the embossing letters of the Reel Cinema sign were being put in place above the venue doors.
The sign for Reel Cinema in Bishop Auckland (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Previously, ‘almost here’ signs were seen on the side of the cinema building.
The cinema will boast seven screens, a licensed bar, a private-hire screen, and an integrated coffee shop.
The offers will also include bookable spaces available for private hire, suitable for birthday parties, school bookings, corporate events and community use.
Reel cinema before it had the signs on (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
The venue is the latest addition to Bishop Auckland retail park, joining the likes of Home Bargains and Game On, which opened in October.
Sunil Suri, director at Reel Cinemas, said: “Very few towns blend heritage and culture quite like Bishop Auckland.
“You can feel the town investing in its next chapter, building on its roots with new spaces for people and community to come together, and it’s a privilege for a family-owned independent like ours to play a small role in that.
The previous temporary signs on Reel (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
“We’re also introducing several ‘firsts’ for REEL here, which feels exactly right in a place that’s looking forward while staying true to its identity.”
The opening of the cinema marks the completion of Phase One of the wider retail and leisure park and strengthens the town’s economy.
The venue will create 30 jobs locally.
Further details about opening celebrations, programming and ticket sales will be announced closer to launch.
Reel Cinemas, founded in 2001, previously described the Bishop Auckland site as a “flagship venue” when it announced the opening in October 2025.
CGI image of the Reel Cinema in Bishop Auckland (Image: REEL)
The multi-million-pound retail and leisure park, located off Fylands Drive, has been years in the making and is now coming together following other openings at The Range, Home Bargains, PureGym, Greggs, TUI, Superbowl UK, and Popeyes.
Meanwhile, work started on the next phase of Bishop Auckland Retail Park last week.
Heavy machinery and construction crews moved into the site at Tindale, where more shops and restaurants are set to open.
CGI images of the development were released last month after expansion plans were approved in November 2025.
Work on phase two of the Bishop Auckland development (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Four new retail units and car parking spaces will be built to the west of the current site, home to the likes of Popeyes, Home Bargains, and PureGym.
Create Architecture previously said the expansion will deliver new units, create new jobs and strengthen Bishop Auckland’s retail offer.
The firm said: “Our focus has been on designing a scheme that not only supports economic growth, but also complements its surroundings and strengthens the retail offer for the region.
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“This investment will bring new national retailers to Bishop Auckland, giving local residents greater choice, while supporting the ongoing vibrancy of the town.
“With planning permission now secured, the project will progress into the next stages of technical design and delivery. We look forward to sharing further updates as the scheme evolves.”
It is expected that the four units will create 300 jobs.
