This is Cannock’s new-look cinema which is set reopen to the public after a five-year absence.

The Express & Star has today been given an exclusive glimpse inside the Walsall Road venue – renamed The Electric Palace Picture House – just weeks before it opens its doors once more.

And developer Fred Pritchard is convinced he has a licence to thrill film lovers following a major internal revamp of the building which will feature a James Bond-themed bar and cafe.

The cinema – which was called The Picture House – closed down five years ago and has been hit by an arson attack, but has now been given a new lease of life.

Mr Pritchard is confident the cinema will be open on October 26 with an operator to be announced shortly.

The new cinema has a traditional art deco feel and boasts three screens.

The main auditorium has seating for 200 people downstairs but can accommodate a further 60 people upstairs on luxurious seats and sofas. There is a second screen which can seat 170 people and a cosy third screen with 40 seats. This smaller screen is being aimed at people who want to hire it out for private functions.

The colour theme is silver, dark blue and maroon. There is a plasma screen behind the front desk to advertise films on show and photographs of actors and actresses including Marilyn Monroe adorn the walls in the corridor.

The cinema is set to be the first part of the Avon Plaza project which will eventually include a bowling alley, shops and restaurants.