Swindon’s new cinema is taking shape ahead of its opening day this week.

Vue Cinemas will move into the site of the former Empire at Greenbridge Retail and Leisure Park on Friday.

Empire had run the cinema for many years but made the shock announcement in July that it would permanently close.

After months of speculation, Vue revealed plans at the start of October to take over the site and reopen the venue for movie fans in the town.

The company’s bosses submitted a licensing application after acquiring the Greenbridge site, with members of the public allowed to comment on this until November 3.

A decision was reached and the new cinema will open on Friday, December 8, with 12 screens.

As the the grand opening approaches, work is taking place at the site to prepare the Empire of old into a new Vue.

A cherry picker was spotted on Monday morning being used to take down the former cinema chain’s logo from the tall glass structure.

Printed Empire signs were also being removed from the windows as the team prepared the building for a new era of entertainment.