A MULTI-million-pound, 10-screen luxury cinema will open its doors in Southampton today.

The Daily Echo has had a first look at the Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton, the UK's most technologically advanced cinema, at Westquay ahead of its opening.

The event will be marked by a spectacular light show

It will treat film lovers to all the latest blockbusters, including erotic romance Fifty Shades Darker, Oscar favourite La La Land and the second big-screen Lego outing, The Lego Batman Movie, from 9.30am.

As well as Hollywood’s finest, the cinema will be bringing the best of Event Cinema – opera, ballet, theatre, classic films, music and sport – to Southampton from around the world. Upcoming highlights include a Valentine’s Day screening of the classic Casablanca, The Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty live from the Royal Opera House and Daniel Radcliffe in the National Theatre’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.

Mark Barlow, Showcase Cinemas UK general manager, told the Daily Echo: “Every aspect of this cinema is designed to be extraordinary, and to give the people in the region a cinema experience that is unrivalled anywhere else.

"Southampton is a hub for film activity, so it’s the perfect location to continue our expansion. There will be something for everyone – from film fanatics to families, students and tourists – and we’re certain that no one will have ever visited a cinema quite like Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton.”

The Showcase Cinema de Lux, which has created 165 new jobs in the city, is the first cinema in the UK to have laser projection and Dolby Atmos as standard in every screen, giving customers the sharpest and brightest image quality and three dimensional sound.

Each screen features electric recliners, so guests will be able to lie back and relax in comfort.

The largest 300-seat auditorium features a wall to wall XPlus, which will be the biggest screen on the South Coast at a giant 64.5 feet wide wall-to-wall.

The pick of several bars, food outlets and coffee shops is the top floor VIP Mayflower Bar, which boasts stunning views across Southampton Water. From here you can access special VIP seating in each of five screens.

Julian Taylor Design Associates, based in Romsey, worked on the design of the cinema, which will stock Jude's Ice Cream from Twyford.

A red carpet event for special guests will herald the official opening of the cinema next Thursday.

Other films being screened this opening weekend are Sing, T2: Trainspotting 2, Hidden Figures, The Space Between Us, Moonlight, 20th Century Women and Fences.

Prices start at £10.95 for a peak adult ticket with peak VIP tickets from £15.95. The cinema will open at 9.30am each day and close at 1am Sunday to Thursday and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.