Vue has signed a 20-year lease to create a nine-screen Big Screen Entertainment venue as part of the centre’s £40 million ‘east end leisure’ development.

The investment will see the creation of a state-of-the-art complex equipped with new Sony 4K digital projection and Dolby 7.1 surround sound. Three of the screens will also be 3D.

Sovereign Centros, asset and development manager for the scheme, redeveloped the former BHS department store to create the new cinema which together with nine new food and beverage units will underpin St Enoch’s position as the leading retail and leisure destination in Glasgow city centre.

Dave Windross, head of property at Vue Entertainment, said: “We strongly believe in the long term future of cinema, and are looking forward to a year of amazing films in 2021, and therefore we are committed to delivering this fantastic new cinema for film fans in Glasgow.

“We believe that the big screen experience provides the perfect opportunity to switch off from the outside world with a great story, and our new all Recliner site will give even more people the chance to escape to luxury for a few hours.

“We’re also delighted to create 40 new jobs, which we’ll be recruiting for in due course.

“The St Enoch Centre redevelopment is creating a superb retail and leisure hub for Glasgow and we’re pleased to be part of it. We look forward to revealing more details as the project develops.”

Guy Beaumont, director of development at Sovereign Centros, added: “We are excited to bring Vue to Glasgow city centre, boosting the attractiveness of St Enoch as the city’s leading family destination. Having the UK’s ultimate Big Screen operator will significantly boost our leisure offer while recently signed restaurant operators including Nando’s, Smashburger, Cosmo, Delhi Darbar and Donut King will complement our successful food court, The Atrium.”

Each screen will feature ‘The Recliner’ leather seats and a convenient fold away tray for snacks and refreshments. There will also be a new ‘Snacks and Seat touch screens’ where visitors can Select, Collect and Enjoy all their drinks, snacks and tickets on state of the art touchscreens.

Dave Windross added: “We are delighted to bring this our second Vue to Glasgow, building on the popular Glasgow Fort venue, adding more choice and all our latest features of the Vue experience to our customers in the area.”