2025 EMEA Award Winner for Best Cinema Refurbishment of the Year: Omniplex Wigan (United Kingdom)

Cologne / Knoxville – 30 April 2025 – The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) is proud to announce the next winner of its 2025 ICTA EMEA Awards: Omniplex Wigan (United Kingdom) has been named Best Cinema Refurbishment of the Year.

ICTA’s EMEA award recognises outstanding achievements in cinema renovation and refurbishments, combining technological innovation, design excellence, and a renewed commitment to delivering premium moviegoing experiences. Omniplex Wigan impressed the selection committee with its remarkable transformation, blending state-of-the-art cinema technology with a revitalised, guest-focused design. The refurbishment successfully reimagines a traditional cinema into a modern entertainment destination, setting a new benchmark for the industry.

The award will be presented on 15th June 2025 during ICTA’s annual EMEA Awards Reception in Barcelona, just before the start of CineEurope.

The announcement of the final ICTA EMEA Award winner – in the category Best Arthouse Cinema – will follow in the coming weeks.

Mark Mayfield, ICTA President, congratulates the winners:

“Omniplex Wigan exemplifies how thoughtful refurbishment can breathe new life into a cinema, merging innovative technology, modern amenities, and a customer-first approach. It’s a shining example of how established locations can be transformed into vibrant, future-ready entertainment hubs. Congratulations to the Omniplex team for this outstanding achievement.”

Omniplex Wigan: Setting a New Standard for Cinema Refurbishment

Omniplex Wigan is a newly refurbished 11-screen luxury cinema located at Robin Park. The venue offers an elevated cinematic experience with 900 fully electric recliner seats, 100 sofa beds, and a cutting-edge OmniplexMAXX screen featuring Dolby Atmos sound.

The stylish new lounge area provides a relaxed space to meet before or after a film, while premium food and drink options include Joe’s Food Truck, a 23-foot airstream trailer serving 24-inch pizzas, crispy tenders and more, and a dedicated Beer & Cocktail Van. With Service to Seat ordering available in the lounge, Omniplex Wigan delivers next-level comfort, convenience, and hospitality for film fans.

Statement from the Operator

Paul John Anderson, Director of Omniplex Group, comments:

“We’re incredibly honoured to receive the 2025 ICTA EMEA Award for Best Cinema Refurbishment. Omniplex Wigan was one of our most ambitious refurbishment projects, and this recognition is a testament to the vision, hard work and collaboration that brought it to life. From the bold redesign of the lobby and the introduction of Joe’s Food Truck and the Beer & Cocktail Van, to the installation of luxury recliners and our OmniplexMAXX screen, every element was chosen to elevate the cinema experience. It’s been fantastic to see how warmly the Wigan community has embraced the cinema, and we’re proud that the industry has recognised it as a leading example of innovation and excellence in refurbishment.”

Join Us in Barcelona

The 2025 ICTA EMEA Awards will be presented during ICTA’s Awards Reception on 15 June 2025 at 7:00 PM in Barcelona, on the eve of CineEurope.

Professionals attending CineEurope can register for the reception and ICTA’s seminar via www.icta-web.com under the Events section. Cinema operators are invited to attend free of charge and should email jr@janrunge.com to register and celebrate their peers.

A media kit featuring images and background information on Omniplex Wigan is available [here].

About ICTA

The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) is a global network of professionals dedicated to advancing cinema technology and innovation. With over 220 member companies worldwide — including cinema operators, technology manufacturers, and integrators — ICTA supports excellence in theatrical exhibition through education, networking, and recognition of industry achievements. Its annual EMEA Awards honour cinemas and individuals that lead the way in creating exceptional moviegoing experiences. www.icta-web.com

Media Contact:

Jan Runge
 International Representative
 International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA)
jr@janrunge.com
Genter Str. 25, 50672 Cologne, Germany

Previous Winners of the ICTA EMEA Awards include

New Build Screen of the Year – EMEA

2015: CinemaPink Akmerkez, TK (Serdar Sener, Selim Yavuzoglu)

2016: Vue Cinema Alkmaar, NL (Ron Sterk)

2017: Hollywood Megaplex Pluscity + Imax Pasching, Austria

2018: Cinestar 4DX, Mall of Split, Croatia (Hrvoje Krstulovic)

2019: CGV Mars, Ankara Atakule, TK (Hakan Asker)

2020: Muvi Cinemas, u-Walk site, Riyadh (Adon Quinn)

2021: Kinepolis Leidschendam (Eddy Duquenne)

2022: UGC Ciné Cité Part-Dieu, Lyon (Hugues Borgia)

2023: Cineplexx Ljubljana, Slovenia (Christof Papousek)

2024: The Light Redhill (James Morris and Jo Lee)

Best Cinema Refurbishment of the Year – EMEA

2018: Cineplexx Millenium City, Vienna (Christof Papousek)

2019: Odeon Leicester Square, UK (Carol Welch)

2021: Filmpalast Kassel (Juliane de Boer)

2022: Cineworld, Belfast (Shaun Jones)

2023: Cineplex Münster, Germany (Ansgar and Anselm Esch)

2024: CinemaxX Berlin (Frank Thomsen and Geoff Moore)

Classic Screen of the Year – EMEA / Arthouse Cinema of the Year (as of 2023)

2015: Imperial Copenhagen, DK (Jan Petersen, Jan Rasmussen)

2016: Odeon Leicester Square, UK (Mike Bradbury)

2017: Tennispalatsi, Helsinki, Finland (Veronica Lindholm, Janne Uusi-Kölli)

2018: Zoo Palast Berlin, Germany (Joachim Flebbe, Sascha Rybnicki)

2019: Bio Capitol, Stockholm, Sweden

2020: Pathe Tuschinksi, Amsterdam (Jacques Hoendervangers)

2021: Cinemateket Oslo 

2022: Le Grand Rex, Paris (Alexandre Hellmann)

2023: Sittard, The Netherlands (Marie-Rose Vandenbergh)

2024: Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café, Maastrich (David Deprez and Aerd de Boode)

New Screen of the year (2017 – 2018)

2017: Arcadia Cinema Melzo, Italy (Piero and Laura Fumagalli)

2018: Village World @ The Mall Athens, Greece (George Christodoulou)

Screen of the year (2016)

2016: Cinecitta Nürnberg, DE (Wolfram and Laura Weber)