Peterborough's Queensgate Shopping Centre urged to break through 'wall of silence' around future of £60 million cinema

An urgent call has gone out to Peterborough’s Queensgate Shopping Centre bosses to break down their ‘wall of silence’ around the future of the mall’s £60 million cinema.

The plea has come from Peterborough MP Paul Bristow after Empire Cinemas, which is the chosen operator for Queensgate’s still-to-open 10 screen IMAX venue, entered administration on July 7.

Although administrators are searching for a buyer for Empire Cinemas, its collapse has created more uncertainty about the cinema, which was built about a year ago.

It is understood the building still needs to be fitted out as a cinema.

Despite the completion of the shell of the cinema, Empire and the Queensgate have refused to say anything about when the venue would open or why it was seemingly taking so long for it to become operational.

Mr Bristow said: “It is important that Queensgate communicate with the people of Peterborough.

"A wall of silence creates uncertainty and rumour.

"I understand there are often commercial sensitivities, but Queensgate is so important to our city.

"Something as simple as they are working to make the cinema work and bring future attractions to the centre would be better than nothing and would reassure people.

Mr Bristow added: "We need to hear from Queensgate.”

A spokesman for Queensgate said: “We do not have a comment.”