A new multiplex cinema hosting a bar and pizzeria will finally open its doors next week.

The five-screen Curzon theatrehouse will launch on Friday, August 26, as the anchor tenant of the long-awaited Riverside leisure complex in Canterbury.

It will be the national chain's second venue in the city, having opened its first in Westgate Hall Road in 2014.

Alongside the new cinema, there will be a bar and pizzeria boasting "an eclectic menu of cocktails, stone-baked sourdough pizzas and small plates", as well as wine and craft beer.

Bosses describe the venue as "a luxurious place to spend an evening, whether watching a film, sipping on a cocktail or tucking into a pizza".

Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull said: "We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Canterbury with this stunning new destination venue.

"Canterbury Riverside is a sophisticated, contemporary cinema that will showcase our cutting-edge technology, always consistent customer service, and excellent food and drink offering."

The films showing on the opening day are Beast, a survival thriller starring Idris Elba; the Jordan Peele horror Nope; and Official Competition, a comedy with Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas.

Tickets went on sale today, with an adult seat costing £10 in the week and £13.95 on Friday evenings and at the weekend.

The names of the five screens have been inspired by The Canterbury Tales; The Chaucer, The Merchant, The Friar, The Knight, and The Miller.

Together they will have 401 seats.

The cinema will be hosting a happy hour every night and will be open late at the weekend.

Parking is free for cinema-goers.

The opening of the £115m Riverside complex has faced a series of delays since construction work began on the old Serco waste depot site in 2019.

Canterbury City Council - which is leading the project - this week said it is still unable to reveal who will be taking up the remaining units earmarked for cafés, bars and restaurants.

The only other confirmed tenant is BrewDog, which is set to open a bar.

The Korean Cowgirl says on its website it is launching a restaurant at the complex, but declined to comment when approached this week after closing its other city eatery amid a licence dispute.

Alongside the commercial element of the project, the site will also host 189 new homes, 220 undercroft parking spaces, and student accommodation providing 493 bedrooms, which has already been completed.

The centre-piece of the complex will be a new public square.