Star City, Birmingham
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Star City is a vast entertainment complex in the UK, with a great emphasis on family leisure. It is located in the north east of Birmingham very close to Spaghetti Junction (Junction 6) of the M6 motorway and Aston Train Station.[1]
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[edit] Development
This former derelict industrial land was developed as part of a regeneration scheme for the Heartlands area and to change Birmingham's image for the 21st century. Its centrepiece is the 30-screen Vue cinema, at the time the largest cinema in Europe. The construction was carried out by Wolverhampton based firm Carillion.[2] The complex was opened in the July 2000 by actor George Clooney.[3]
[edit] Early days
Star City's popularity has gained momentum and is attracting many people from outside Birmingham. The cinema - initially Warner Village - has been re-branded as Vue and the Star City Casino opened in November 2003 as the UK's largest casino.[citation needed]
By the end of 2003, it was the largest leisure park in the country ahead of The Printworks in Manchester and The Mailbox in Birmingham city centre.[4]
[edit] Attractions
Aside from the multiplex and the casino, there are restaurants serving Indian (Shere Khans), Mexican, Spanish (La Tasca), Italian (Bella Italia and Pizza Hut), Chinese (Flames), American (Old Orleans) and traditional English food.
A 22-lane Megabowl was revealed when Star City opened and has remained since - however, this has now been rebranded to Tenpin. According to staff at Tenpin, the centre is to under-go major redevelopment in late 2008 to which additional bowling lanes will be added as well as a Quaser laser-based games area.
There are also shopping stores, bars and a Virgin Active Health Club within the main plaza.
A new 'Goals' soccer centre opened in 2007 with its pitches situated on the roof of the centre. Goals also incorporates a Sports Bar which shows year round sporting events on both Sky and Terrestrial TV.
England's first 36 hole Adventure Mini Golf Course Complex - Adventure Island Mini Golf - is due to open in late May 2008.[5]
Plans are also finalised for other new family leisure attractions to open during 2008.
On the outside, there are seasonal shows such as fireworks displays, circuses and funfairs.
[edit] Reflecting the community
Star City has recently rebranded as a family based leisure destination - reflecting the need for such a complex in the Midlands.[citation needed]
Also, the screening of all major Hollywood blockbusters as well as Bollywood films by Vue's theatre at the site is seen as an attraction for all visitors. Entertainment for the venue is selected from all over the world with high profile visits made by the French Cirque du Soleil in 2005[6] and the Chinese State Circus in 2006. A number of the major restaurants at Star City, including Nandos and Shere Khans, also cater for the local Muslim population by serving halal meat.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Location map
- ^ Case study - Star City
- ^ Clooney hits Birmingham. BBC News (2000-07-20).
- ^ Leisure And Recreation Management, page 222, George Torkildsen, 2005, Routledge (ISBN 0415309956)
- ^ Official Website
- ^ BBC: Cirque du Soleil
- ^ What's at Star City?
[edit] External links
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